What the H 4E21?

My apologies for more Forever21-infused content. And in fact, I didn't allude to it in the title, but I'm gonna hit you with a double whammy.

First: We all know that the aforementioned store is great for finding current trend knock-offs at knock-off prices, but I was still a little surprised when I was browsing their website and came across a (nearly) identical replica of a new dress of mine. Check out the redonkulousness: 

The dress on the left is from Forever21, retail price $22. The dress on the right is mine, from a tiny boutique in New Jersey. Retail price $99. Now, of course, I didn't pay $99 for it. It was on the sale rack and after a few passes, I couldn't help but find something charming in the plaid and paisley pattern incest, and purchased it or $9.99. 

Second: I've found myself, more than a few times, in a situation where I didn't really want to audibly respond "Forever21" to a friend's "ohmygodwheredyougethat?" 

So... I made up this handy code:

Simply flash this series of hand signals (at waist-height for optimal discretion) to your friends—"4", "E", "2", "1"—for tacit acknowledgment of your shopping habits.

Southwest Vindication

A little while back, I posted "Trend forecast—Indian summer alert!", wherein I predicted that a new wave of Navajo blanket/Southwest summer home drapes/Northern Exposure wardrobe patterns and designs were all set to blast onto the scene. 

Well, check out this sampler of new Forever21 frocks and accessories. (I mean, is there really a more accurate barometer of ubiquitous trends—for better or worse?):

Boom. I rest my case.

Watch for my next summer forecast—The invisible river: Hipsters and aqua-socks.

Wintour Goat

Now it's time for one of my favorite games: "What person does this animal look like?!" 

They were playing this today at CuteOverload.com, using a photo of "McSheepersons":

My immediate response was (duh) Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of American Vogue:

I didn't look at all 341 of the comments following CuteOverload's post, but I didn't see Anna's name mentioned in the first twenty or so I did read. I think Jack Nicholson was my second favorite answer answer. Carol Channing was a nice effort as well, though she is too smiley to be mistaken for McSheeperson. 

I mean, this just feels right:

Rad-ish? YES! Tasty? Kinda...

Today I perused the local farmer's market (they accept food stamps!) and picked up a bundle of radishes. I've always been fond of the crisp, scarlet vegetables with their uncompromising flavor, but had only experienced them in salads. I looked up "radish recipes" online and quickly decided on the simple-sounding "baked radishes". And though it was indeed simple, the recipe required a little more than simply sticking the radishes in a pan and putting them in the oven, as I had assumed. 

First, you must steam the vegetables. Hhhm, steam vegetables... Does this involve an iron? How about taking the radishes into the shower with me and turning on the hot water? Apparently not. After remembering that my friend Simone had once used a perforated hat-thing to steam brussels sprouts, I googled "how to steam vegetables". (Please stop snickering.) Turns out that it's eeeaasy. Next, comes the glaze, which just consists of heating up some honey and a dash of cinnamon. Well, actually the recipe called for butter in the glaze, but we were out. I contemplated adding some olive oil, but was interrupted by a vision of Liz, in the kitchen, slowly shaking her head at me. I left the olive oil out. Whether it would've ruined the glaze, I'll never now. Unless someone tells me. 

When the radishes are done steaming, they go in a small baking pan where you seductively drizzle glaze on them. How you drizzle the glaze is your own choice, but I can't imagine any other way to drizzle. (I just realized that usually, glazes are brushed on. Oh well.) Anyway, the radishes bake for about thirty minutes, or until tender. 

The first bite: Not bad! The combination of sweet and, well, radish, was pretty good. AND THEN... things got crazy and I decided to add cottage cheese. 

Rad. 

I love this.

A celebration of translation. 

http://www.engrish.com/

Trend forecast— Indian Summer Alert!

I just want to state, right now, that Navajo print is going to be IN, in a BIG way. SOON. I saw some guy (possibly a homeless gentleman) wearing an old wool Navajo print jacket the other day and I instantly said: "that, Michelle, is not the last you'll see of 1960's New Mexico (or current Alaskan) revival fashion. This retired print is on it's way, creeping out from within vintage couture collections, my great-grandpa's closet, and the couch in your family's summer lake cabin, and is on its way to Kate Moss' body. I will also keep an eye on Lindsey Lohan, for as soon as she dons a Navajo-patterned tank or short-shorts, my forecast will also be validated. 

[Photo courtesy of Fashion156.com—don't worry Rhian, that jacket will be in Forever21 before you know it.]

For Liz

I'm a little rusty and nervous. If this were a stage I'd be pigeon-toed. So, as a warm-up, here's one of my favorite formats—the list!

In the past months, I've:

1. Visited NYC for the first time

2. Attended a prom at Princeton U.

3. Been to Kauai 

4. Scoffed at a cattery*

5. Seen a whale jumping

6. Wore a Blazer jersey as a dress

7. Been reunited twice with lost $20 bills 

8. Applied for a job as a veterinarian receptionist

9. Drank whiskey in the ocean

10. Had my heart mugged

11. Learned to get over it

* Cattery, while not a real word, is the undisputed name my family** uses to describe a confined outdoor "play" area for cats. Yes, they have built their own cattery, with a possible roof-edition to follow, pending the probability of feline escape tactics.

** By family, I mean everyone in my family except me.