Two of my favorite things, and one of my favorite blog topics!

I’ve been experimenting with loads of recipes lately, but today I will share a fun and healthy recipe for homemade Fruit & Nut Bars. First of all, have you tried LARABARS? They are delish, and so simple. They have between 2 and 5 ingredients, so no nasty preservatives etc. But for some reason I am allergic to raw nuts so I thought I’d try making my own with toasted nuts. The basic recipe is:

*2 cups toasted almonds
*1/2 cup pitted dates

That’s it! Put ‘em in the Cuisinart and blend until both ingredients are completely smooshed and combined. If it’s too dry add more dates; if it’s too wet add more nuts. Next: grab a handful and mold them into candy bar shaped logs (kind of messy, but easy to wash off), wrap them in plastic wrap, and put them in the fridge to chill for a couple hours.

How easy is that? And they’re so good. I also like to add things like orange, lemon, or cinnamon extract; cocoa powder; cranberries; roasted cashews instead of almonds… the sky’s the limit! They’re a great snack, and it’s fun to eat something homemade that looks so professional.

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And now for the CLOTHES!!!

Today’s featured designer is Rebecca Taylor. I was browsing her line at ShopLAStyle.com and fell in love with almost everything!

This dress is a little fancy-pants, but I think it’s quite cute:

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This shirt is very similar, but I just love the back detail. So cute:

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Adorable pink cami w/ petal detailing along the top:

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Very pretty black party dress w/ supercute beading in the front:

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I love this sun dress. Can’t wait for summer!!!

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Another cute ‘n summery dress w/ pretty bead detail in front:

That’s all for now. If you try making the Nut/Date bars, lemme know how they turn out!

It’s finally spring, and everyone’s oot and aboot (my Canadian accent)!
I’ve been enjoying the lovely weather and taking long walks all over the city, eating delicious meals, and going to the theater for a little culture.

Okay, I’ll start with my biggest celebrity sighting:
Ethan Hawke standing outside the theater as we headed in to see a play called The Country Girl—so, technically I guess you could say I also saw Morgan Freeman, Frances McDormand, and Peter Gallagher. Ethan looked great. Still cute, sexy, and not as greasy as he’s been known to look in the past.

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Then the next night when we were at the new Broadway musical of Cry Baby (we saw a lot of theater because my dad was in town) I spotted Molly Ringwald at intermission! She looked lovely in a white breezy boho top and skirt. It was the first time I’d seen her (in person, not counting Cabaret) since I was 8-years-old & trying on clothes at the Laura Ashley store in LA… ah, memories!
She is in some of my favorite movies of all time. I wanted to go up and give her a hug! Don’t worry, I didn’t do it.

ps-Cry Baby was surprisingly good.

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Now, this next one will only be exciting to New Yorkers, and more specifically, New Yorkers who read messages and ads on bulletin/cork boards, or signs posted on bodega windows, because I saw Dan Smith, of Dan Smith Will Teach You Guitar!!! I s’pose it could’ve been somebody else since I’ve only ever seen the 1 picture of him, but I’m pretty sure it was him, and it was awesome! I’ve always wanted to learn guitar (and drums). Especially because the heroine of my next book is a guitar player, and I wish I’d had a more intimate knowledge of le craft.

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Oh! Another good one (at least my BFF and I thought so) was world famous Olympic gold medalist Brian Boitano! He looked pretty adorable, but I couldn’t get that South Park song out of my head all night!
We saw him having dinner with friends. And ps, Brian picked up the check!

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The lamest celebrity sighting was Elizabeth Hasselbeck from The View. I’m not even going to bother googling a picture of her because she’s annoying, I hardly consider her a celebrity, and she’s a republican.

I know this was a silly post, but it was a fun week of celebrity sightings, and I had to tell somebody!

1.It’s not even that I want these bizarre finger-toppers, but they just look so damn cool. I think you have to be a dominatrix or a princess to wear them—or both! They’re just so Egypt-fabulous. And from the 80’s Purple website I can’t tell if they’re $160 for the whole hand, or per finger. Either way, they’re wack-a-doo.

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2. My computer. I’m trying to show my MAC a little love, because the other day it started to sneeze. I’m not even kidding. Has that ever happened to you? First it wheezed, and I thought I was losing my mind, but then it SNEEZED. “Achoo!” it said. I think my computer needs a hug.

3. Sybil. Whoa, that is one intense movie. I am fascinated by Multiple Personality Disorder. The movie is a little long—I think it was originally made for TV as a mini-series or something. But I’m telling you, it is a gripping film. Is it wrong to say that sometimes I wish I had MPD? I mean, I am a very shy person and I blush a lot—what if I could just POOF into a different personality and suddenly have self confidence and class! Ah, a girl can dream! But seriously, Sally Field gives a chilling performance as a screwed up girl with over a dozen distinct personalities.

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4. I love Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars, Heroes), Jason Segel (How I Met Your Mother, Freaks & Geeks) & Jonah Hill (Superbad), and therefore I TOTALLY want to see Forgetting Sarah Marshall!

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5. Congratulations to Stiletto Heights on her recent nuptials! I absolutely love being married. It’s awesome. I wish you all the happiness in the world, Jenn!

FIRST of all: what happened to spring? It was here for a few days, then I went out of town, and when I came back it was gone! Who stole spring from me?! Grrr.

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Speaking of being out of town, I just went to Santa Fe, NM to visit my lovely parents.
It was a blast. I looooove Mexican food. I can’t live without it. Yummy margaritas, peaceful scenery, my parents cuddly dogs—it always inspires creativity. I did a little shopping and bought an adorable dress at Target for $20. God, I love that store. I also just ordered a dress online (on sale, too!). What do you think of it?

It might look terrible on me, but it’s pretty and summery, and it made me smile.

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I would also like some opinions/thoughts on these shoes. At first glance I didn’t like them, but they’re growing on me. It’s a unique style. And I seem to be really into purple these days.

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OH! Before I forget: When I was in New Mexico I was channel surfing one day, and landed on a network called G4 where I watched a marathon of Unbeatable Banzuke. It is the BEST show ever—I’m not exaggerating.

You will be immediately hooked. They show tons of ridiculous competitions on tricky slolem-type courses that you have to complete on a unicycle, or walking on your hands, or on a pogo stick, or being pushed in a wheelbarrow. A massive time suck, but brilliant.

One last thing. Andy and I saw The Dodos last night at Mercury Lounge. They are AMAZING! Their album is great (check out the video for FOOLS on YouTube), but seeing them live was even better. They’re incredibly talented (and super hot, too!)

First on my agenda: complain about the new Sweet Valley High books. I may be a bit late on the bandwagon, but I just read on Gawker that they are re-releasing the beloved 80’s series, complete with updated angles, such as their car (from a red fiat to a jeep wrangler), their weight (from a ‘perfect size 6′ to a ‘perfect size 4′–WHAT???!!!!), and their school newspaper is now a website. I’m sure it’s as trashy and addictive as it was in the 80’s… and sadly, I bet it will sell a billion times better than Back Talk or any other book I ever write. Sigh. Sob. Wipe tears away. Move on.

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On a happier note, I just learned that fellow blogger Heather is having her book, Pittsburgh Ghosts: Steel City Supernatural published! The book looks great—I mean, who doesn’t want to read about ghosts? Well… I might not be able to read it at night, or when I’m alone because it might be too scary… But congratulations, Heather!!!

Books I’ve read lately that I recommend (some of which I may have already mentioned): Snow Flower & the Secret Fan. I started it aaaages ago when CountryGirl CityLife gave it to me as an RAOK (thanks Jody!) but I got sidetracked. I finally read it and loved it. Note to the squeamish: the first 50 pages are very descriptive and intense! Oh, and Lisa See has another book out: Peony In Love. Looks gooooood!

Fellow Flux author, Brian Mandabach’s YA novel OR NOT. (I should’ve reviewed this a long time ago, but got sidetracked—that seems to happen to me a lot, huh?) It’s a compilation of journal entries written in the voice of tortured, non-conformist 8th grader Cassie Sullivan. Makes ya glad you’re not in 8th grade anymore! But Cassie is a strong and spunky heroine w/ great taste in music—kinda like the main character from my new book (yet to be published), so of course I thought Cassie was awesome! Great book Brian, can’t wait to see what you do next.

I also just finished The Inheritance of Loss, which follows a judge, his granddaughter, and their cook in northern India in the 1980’s. The book switches between their lives, and the cook’s son, an Indian immigrant struggling to survive in New York in the mid 80’s. Really descriptive and well written.

And although this is not a novel, I just read (and have cooked several recipes from) Not on Love Alone. It was given to me (and Andy, but lets face it, he does NOT cook) as a wedding gift, and I love it. Full of anecdotes, tips, cute illustrations, and of course recipes. A lot of meaty recipes, which is limiting for vegetarians (duh) but wonderful nonetheless.

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Okay, so now I need new book recommendations. Of course I have a bookshelf full of things to read, and the library just a few blocks away, but I’m always up for suggestions.

1. Wearing Raybans automatically makes you cool. Or at least a lot closer to cool.

2. You must have a banjo or an electric violin in your band. Preferably both.

(sorry about the blurry pic of Noah and The Whale.)

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3. Jeans: the tighter the better—but we all already knew that, didn’t we?

4. The Ice Cream Man RULES!!!!

5. Never leave home without your earplugs. Ever.

6. If you are hungry, you can always find a soft taco.

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7.
Lots of wristbands makes you cool.

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8. Japan Nite kicks ass—but it’s full of Asia-philes.

9. Get there early if you want the free stuff. (Side note: the Aussie BBQ had the best veggie burgers ever.)

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10. Live music is awesome!!!
My favorite new bands from SXSW (not all of which I saw, but have since started listening to):
Deer Tick, Phosphorescent, Two Gallants, She & Him, Holy Conlan, Apache Beat,
Yeasayer, Bon Iver, Fanfarlo, Noah & The Whale, Sons & Daughters, A Weather,
Back Ted n Ted, Kaki King, Man Man, Laura marling, Georgie James, The Dodos

If you didn’t already know, I’m obsessed with music. Uhb-sessed. Maybe I’m kind of A.D.D. because when I’m at a party, or even at home, and the CD ends, I start twitching until a new album gets put on. So, that’s my intro. Here are some of the artists I’ve been fixating on lately:

Band of Horses . I resisted their new album for a long time, and I don’t even know why. But it’s really good twangy indie rock. I can’t stop listening to it!

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Born Ruffians. They’re a bit scruffy but adorable, and the songs are fun indie pop. Check out the Hummingbirds video, it’s really cute:

Ambulance Ltd. I’m not even sure how I came across them. Andy is always bringing home new music that we’ve never heard of. They’re sort of indie/shoegaze and very laid back. Ophelia is my favorite track off LP, if you want to check it out!

I also like that Lupe Fiasco song, Superstar:

It’s stuck in my head all the time lately. Think I’ll have to break down and download it off Amazon!

Justice. French electronica. Just try listening to this without wanting to bust out dancing. It’s impossible. They’re like the new Daft Punk.

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Kate Nash. AKA Lily Allen 2. Do you love that Merry Happy song? I’m sure I’ll get sick of it, but I haven’t yet.

Animal Collective. How do you describe their music? It’s indie/electronic/psychedelic/experimental rock. It’s fantastic. I love the whole album, but check out Fireworks, especially. Here’s the video:

Charlotte Gainsbourg. Daughter of famous French singer Serge Gainsbourg. If you like Air, you’ll probably like Charlotte Gainsbourg. I didn’t like it the first time I heard it, but then it really started to grow on me. There’s a nicely shot video for her song 5:55 on YouTube. Maybe a little self-absorbed, but I guess it’s her video and she can do what she wants!

Vampire Weekend. They’re going to be on SNL this weekend, which I don’t see as a good thing. I’m one of those people who sometimes likes to keep bands all to myself without them becoming superstars… but VW will no doubt be huge, as predicted by this StereoGum.com quote:
“This is, in fact, what the not-so-distant future possibly maybe holds:
In late 2008, after Vampire Weekend has guested on Saturday Night Live, sold out the Theater at Madison Square Garden for nine consecutive nights, and licensed songs for commercials for every product in Apple’s lineup, Zach Braff discovers a hip, new underground band called “Vampire Weekend.” He adds them to the soundtrack for his new movie, a coming-of-age story about Zach Braff sleeping with whichever currently popular 22-year-old actress is the hottest. He explains in the CD’s liner notes: ‘Their songs sound like Graceland by Paul Simon, another artist with which I am newly familiar.’”

Evangelicals. They are fantastic. Their album is amazing, weird, funky, indie rock. Check out their new video on StereoGum. It’s very reminiscent of a Potato Riot film. Right up my alley!

Honorable mentions:
Rogue Wave (especially the song Chicago x12), Au Revoire Simone, the new Breeders album (not out yet, but the single is good), St. Vincent.

I’m going to SXSW at the end of next week with a friend, so if anyone has any advice on “must see” bands, please let me know!!!

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ps-last night I saw the worst show ever called Quarterlife.
It’s like a bad TV version of Reality Bites (which I looooove), complete with whiny Winona Ryder character and brooding Ethan Hawke character. They even use some of the exact same lines from Reality Bites, and the rest of their conversations are trite. Oh, but it’s really “hip” and “now” because it’s all about blogging—they even have webisodes online. Bleh. Sorry, I probably sound really mad and agro. I had high hopes since it’s by the people who made My So Called Life, but this was just baaaad!