Ode to an Inspired Life

How cute are these?

Inspired by all of the adorable dyed deviled eggs I’ve seen on Pinterest, I decided to make these for my sister’s Easter celebration this past weekend. Easy, cute and so delicious if you use my deviled egg recipe (not to toot my own horn, but for real.)

The Perfect Hard boiled Egg: Place your eggs in a pot and cover with cold water. Bring your water to a boil, and once the water is boiling (it’s okay if it boils for a minute), turn the heat off, keep the eggs covered, and set your timer for 15 minutes. Once the 15 minutes are up, submerge the eggs in a ice water bath.  Once cool to handle, peel eggs and cut in half length wise,  scooping out yolks and placing into a separate bowl.

To dye the eggs whites: Fill two containers (bowls, glasses, etc) of water (about half way, enough to cover the eggs) with about 3 drops of food coloring of your choice into each. (For lighter colors like yellow, you will need a 4-5 drops). Place cut egg whites in water until they become the desired color of your choice. (The pink took quickly, while the yellow stayed in the water for an extra couple of minutes.)

Caramelized-Onion Deviled Eggs

1/2 a medium white onion, finely diced
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup Mayonnaise ( I used light)
Yellow Mustard
Tabasco Hot Sauce
Salt & Pepper, to taste

1.Heat up your pan with half the tablespoon of butter. Add the finely diced onion. Turn the heat to medium-low, saute the onion, adding the rest of the butter half way, until crispy/caramelized (making sure not to burn the small pieces). Set aside.

2.Mix the mayonnaise with yellow mustard, hot sauce, salt and pepper. I eyeballed, tasting as I went- depending on how spicy/tangy you like your mixture, add each to taste (I only did a few drops of hot sauce, and enough mustard to turn the mayonnaise a light yellow.)

3. Fluff the yolks with a fork, and add in the cooled caramelized onion. Mix with enough of the mayonnaise mixture to the consistency of your choice (I like it left slightly thick). If you have a pastry bag, pipe the mixture into the egg whites, otherwise, just spoon it into the whites. Enjoy as is or top with chives, bacon bits or paprika.

Enjoy!

Although I think the term “flatform” is kind of silly (aren’t they just platforms?!) I am so feeling them for Spring.

From Top Left: Messeca New York KELLY Flatform Sandal, Jil Sander Navy ELASTIC PLATFORM SANDAL, Jeffrey Campbell SUEBEE FUR Flatform, Moonspoon Saloon X BuffaloPLATFORM SNEAKER

The last pair is extreme- but it’s total camp 90′s club kid wear, and although I might not wear them myself, I’m instantly attracted. Platforms always grab my attention because they’re a perfect mix of style and comfort. They’re solid shoes that you can wear anywhere without being in total and complete pain by the end of the day. My favorite pairs above are the Messeca and Jill Sander, super minimalist but with a bit of color that makes them interesting.

I have a cute DIY involving flatforms coming up, stay tuned!

I’m obsessed with photo booths,  but really, who isn’t? Instant gratification; four perfectly cute and usually hysterical photos in your hands faster than it would  take to get a drink from the bar. Over the years, I’ve collected way too many of these photo strips and I’m always left wondering what to do with them once I get home. A photo booth album is one idea, but my favorite way to display these babies  is on my fridge, so I’m constantly reminded of the good times, and that I have awesome friends. The only problem is that after some time the magnets holding these delicate photos start to ruin them. The most logical solution seemed to make the photo booth pictures into magnets themselves.

This is seriously the easiest DIY ever. You need:

1. Photo booth Pictures

2. Magnet Paper (I picked up some ProMag Magnetic Adhesive Sheets from Dick Blick, but any brand should do)

3. Scissors

Just attach your photos to the magnet paper, cut them out, and you’re done! I like to trace the photos and cut the magnet paper before applying, it seems like less of a mess/waste. Then, any extra bits get cut off as well. Definitely try to line up your photos perfectly before applying, you don’t want to have to peal them off and reapply- the photos start to get bent and ruined. Also, if you have small children or pets in the house, be diligent in throwing out the extra little bits of the magnet paper.

A couple preview shots of scans from Project X, basically the coolest magazine ever made. If you’ve watched Party Monster, you already know the sordid history of Michael Alig, but it wasn’t all murder and drugs and it wasn’t all about him anyway. A post to come soon with more scans and the story behind my having, Ok borrowing, this amazing piece of NYC Club Kid history.

Sunday brunch with the gang at Saint Germain in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.

Where: 8303 3rd Ave (between 83rd St & 84th St) , Bay Ridge

What: The Eggs Benedict- runny eggs on soft brioche with either ham, spinach, or salmon.

When: Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm

Why: Delicious French brunch staples like Croissant Sandwiches with silky Bechamel sauce,  all served with coffee/tea, juice and amazing French desserts (plus brunch cocktails for $3!!!)

Website: http://www.saintgermainfb.com/

I love love love DIY projects but with a massive apartment renovation in the works (that’s just like..one big DIY right?) I haven’t had much time to actually do any. Plus, my current basement living situation (no windows!) isn’t actually conducive to photo taking. Hopefully I’ll be moved in before the end of the month and can start tackling my ever-growing list of to-creates. In the meantime, check out some amazing DIY projects popping up on the blogs this week.

Spray Painted Dinosaurs

I’m about to go toy shopping in my nephew and niece’s playroom just to recreate this amazing DIY (stealing toys from children doesn’t make me a bad person right?)  Spray painted toy dinosaurs- because why not? This cute project comes from mrs-ferguson, a dope DIY blog with recipes and OMG a unicorn make-over?

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