T W O L A U R A S

Recipes:

2011-07-06T10:36:00.002-05:00

Some days when I'm feeling the need to eat something that is super healthy but I'm not sure what to have I just get the healthiest ingredients out and make up a little rice bowl. This little totally non-authentic Chickpea Curry I made up for a fast easy flavorful lunch, I paired it with sautéed Kale, two boiled tiny Redskin Potatoes and steamed rice for a filling meal. You could just eat this over greens or rice to cut down on prep time.

Servings: 2-3 Cook and Prep time Total: 15 mins

- One can Chickpeas, drained and rinsed
-1/4 large Yellow Onion, Cut in to half moon slivers
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Yellow Curry Powder
- 1/2 Tablespoon Garam Masala
- 1/4 Teaspoon ground Cloves
- 1/4 Teaspoon Paprika
- Water, as needed

In a skillet heat one tablespoon of Olive Oil over medium heat and add Yellow Onions, sauté until soft and translucent. Add all the spices to the oil and onions and stir coating onions about one minute. Add Chickpeas and remaining tablespoon of Olive Oil and stir to coat chickpeas. If this mixture looks to dry just add a few tablespoons of water to thin out the sauce. Cook about 3 mins. and serve with rice.

My First Loaf

2011-06-30T22:41:00.000-05:00

It's official I have baked bread in the world's tiniest oven, it happened! I don't know what it is about making bread that intimidates me more the timing, activating the yeast, who knows it seems best left for the experts. This summer I have been into tackling new ways of being more resourceful in our home. Spend less make more is my attitude or better yet just learn to do more things yourself. So when I picked up Jenna Woginrich's book Made From Scratch Discovering the Pleasures of a Handmade Life on a whim at the library I knew I had to pursue my little diy endeavors. This book totally speaks to me, Jenna's writing is funny, informative and motivating. Her book shows an honest and accessible way to create what she refers to as her own "Homestead". There are true accounts of failure and triumph on topics such as home sewing to raising chickens. When I read her chapter on the country kitchen and her recipe for bread I finally felt confident to attempt the adventures of bread making. And guest what? I totally have two whole loafs of bread made from scratch sitting on my cooling rack. I am totally having french toast in the morning!

Also check out Jenna's blog here.

DYI: Kitchen Organization Time! Washi Tape Labels!

2011-06-24T11:13:00.001-05:00

Hey dudes today I am overhauling my kitchen! I like many are broke and also love to repurpose like every thing I own. I find it to be much more satisfying when I know that I can redesign my home with the tools I already have and save a pretty penny. So here is a mini tutorial on organizing and labeling bulked goods!

1. Get some Japanese Washi tape! What's that you ask?? It's that really cute tape you have been seeing every where; you can get it in a lot of craft and stationary stores now or buy it online here at Cute Tape.

I use Washi one because it's pretty and two because it peels off really easy without leaving a sticky mess, making it really easy to relabel your jars. You are going to love this tape I swear!

2. Get yourself a Sharpie Ultra Fine Point marker and write your jar contents on the tape! Make sure you use permanent markers otherwise your words will wipe right off your tape making you sad.

3. Gather all those collected / recycled jars hanging in the recycle bin or under your sink, yeah you know those guys. Wash the jars, making sure they are completely dry. Fill with your bulk spices, lentils, teabags, what have you and stick on your labels! Voila!

Recipes: Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff!

2011-06-23T12:04:00.004-05:00

So last night I whipped up this recipe for mushroom stroganoff cause I had to make some thing with the mushrooms before they went bad. Isn't that how all good things start? So after consulting several sources and my BFF Larissa, a widely known lover/maker of mushroom stroganoff, I create this vegan recipe.

Before an amazing trip to go see an outdoor screening of Slacker and talk with Richard Linklater (yeah, I'm bragging a bit! but it was pretty much the most Austin thing we could do) I put this meal in front of Regina and we sat down to have our first bite, after she said to quote " Wow this is like better then Three Bros! I mean it!". For those of you who don't get the reference Three Brothers is a famed Long Island Italian all vegan restaurant, which is pretty much the best complement I have ever received! And then we proceeded to stuff our faces. This is totally a "Hey Mom I can't believe it's not butter" recipe and you can feed it to your non-vegan friends and they will never know!! Leave me a comment if you make it and tell me how it turned out at your house!

Serves: 4 Prep: 10 min. Cook Time: 20 min.

- One package of Whole Wheat Linguine Broken up in to 2/3 inch pieces

- 1 1/2 cups Tofutti Sour Cream (or any recipe for vegan sour cream)

- 1 1/2 cups Veggie Broth/Stock (I dissolved one Rapunzel Brand Vegan Bouillon with sea salt cube with 1 1/2 cups simmering water in separate pot and then turned the heat off and set it aside)

- 3 heaping Table Spoons of Flour

- 3 Tablespoons Earth Balance, Olive Oil, or Smart Balance Light (yes it's vegan!)

- About 10 White Button Mushrooms Sliced (Baby Bella or Portobella would be a fine substitute)

- 1 Yellow Onion roughly chopped

- 1 Large clove of Garlic minced

- About 2 Tablespoons Hungarian Paprika

- 1 Tablespoon dried Parsley, plus more for garnish ( you can also use fresh parsley if you have it)

- 1 Tablespoon Sriracha Chili Sauce (you can also sub it for ketchup or tomato paste)

- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce

- A couple twists of the black pepper mill

In a heavy bottom skillet, I use my cast iron skillet, add all of the earth balance and heat over medium high heat, add onions and 1 of the tablespoons of paprika. Cook until onions are soft about 3 mins, then add mushrooms, saute until mushrooms and onions are fully cooked then transfer to a bowl or dish and set aside.

While you are sauteing the mushrooms and onions, cook the whole wheat linguine that you broke up in to pieces according to the package directions.

Reduce the heat of the skilled to medium and add Tofutti sour cream and veggie broth and whisk together. Add minced garlic and continue whisking adding one tablespoon of flour at a time,the sauce will begin to thicken up. Once sauce is thickened whisk in worcestershire sauce, sriracha, parsley, paprika, and black pepper. Stir back in the cooked mushrooms and onions you set aside in to the sauce and heat through. Serve over noodles and garnish with parsley! Enjoy! Xox, Lka

DIY: Spiral Bound Notebook!

2011-06-21T09:47:00.002-05:00

Last night I had an awesome opportunity to take a class on how to make spiral bound note books with Melissa Stewart of Crab Apple Designs at Green House Austin. Melissa is like a super craft woman, she makes the coolest note books and a million other things that are awesome, she sells her creations at Green House and also on etsy you might want just everything so brace yourself. So I have pretty much been holding on to this crazy Russian horticulture book for ever just waiting for my next project and it served perfect as the cover of my notebook.

The best thing about making your own notebook/sketchbook is that you can put what ever paper you want in to it and make it customized to your tastes. You might not be so lucky to have access to a spiral bounder but there are ton of other ways to make your own books. I love this project by Boy Girl Party. Make your self something awesome, cause you deserve it! Xo, Lka.

A Few Notes: Reaching Goals

2011-06-15T15:04:00.001-05:00

Ok, this might all sound a bit cheesy, but please hear me out. I have a really hard time setting goals and sticking with them as most people probably do. Lately I have been feeling that there are more and more things I want to accomplish in my life. Moving to Texas from NYC was a total change of pace, I no longer had my built in exercise of running/biking around the city which was replaced by driving around in my car. I had just been feeling unhealthy in general and decided that it was time to change my bad eating habits ( like grabbing Wendy's from down the street (I never ate fast food until I move to TX)) and take charge of an exercise regiment, which is hard when your broke and have no idea what to do! So I finally found a few things that worked for me working out at home to hulu.com on my TV doing the Self Magazine work outs, (trust they have all been tested by me) and starting a yoga practice at our amazing Coop run yoga studio here in Austin (pay what you wish!!). So I was feeling pretty good but it can be a hard thing to stick with all of this when you can't see your progress, that is where the kindergarden star stickers set in! I know it sounds totally stupid but every time I exercises I put a star on my calendar and write what physical activity I did. Not only do you feel special (because you are 5 years old) but you also can visually see your progress.

I would recommend this to any one even if your goals are learning to sew every thursday, teaching yourself to cook weeknights, or maybe you really hate doing laundry and every monday you lug your stuff to the laundry mat you get a star. I don't know sounds pretty great to me, maybe even every 20 stars you get ice cream (because your 5 years old) - or a martini night (because your 5 years old and also of legal drinking age).

At any rate your goals are important so don't let yourself feel defeated, be the defeater!

Xox, Lka

Vintage Finds: Bar Cart!

2011-06-09T11:23:00.000-05:00

Greg and I have been searching high and low for a while for a vintage bar cart and we finally found one the other day. Well, Greg found it while I was in a meeting but it was found! This bar cart is actually what they call a warming cart, a plug can be attached and the top will heat like a hot plate. We removed the cord and kept the glass top which looks kind of neat and plus when you are making drinks and you spill easy clean up. The only problem was when we brought it home we had a hard time making it fit nice in our space with out looking like a soar thumb, so we removed our end table and placed our lamp on the cart, now it doubles as an end table! Another fun idea to create a mini bar in your home if you don't want a huge cart in your house is to find a large rimmed tray and set up service for one or two of your favorite drinks, which you can keep out or store away when you are not having a party. Any ways make yourself a martini, happy summer and cheers! Xox, Lka

What I ate for dinner last night: Tandoori Chicken

2011-06-08T11:07:00.003-05:00

So I am in love with my new Droid phone and of course I instantly downloaded the Epicurious app. Which is amazing btw, if you don't already have it get it for your smart phone asap! It's free and you can search recipes and make instant grocery lists. Any ways, I made the recipe for Perfect Pan-Roasted Chicken Thighs, which really did come out perfect! The only thing I did differently was I added a drumstick into the mix (which cooked perfect following this recipe) and I also rubbed the chicken with Tandoori spices (I bought mine at the grocery store) along with the salt and pepper. The other thing I made was some couscous with veggies, just make couscous according to package directions in the mean time I sauteed some cut up green beans, tomatoes, and a clove of diced garlic in a little bit of olive oil and then just mixed it in to the cooked couscous. I also served everything with little lemon wedges! It's not an authentic meal but it was delicious! Try it out! xox Lka.

Cookbook Roundup

2011-06-07T11:30:00.003-05:00

After viewing sfgirlbybay's post yesterday on the affordable art website 20x200 I was totally enamored with this print (above) by the artist Jane Mount that I found scouring the pages of 20x200 website. I totally need it for my kitchen don't you think? Anyway it got me thinking about how I have cooked from all most all of the cook books in the drawing above but I don't own that many cookbooks mainly because the Austin public library has such an amazing selection that I check out 2 or three books per week. (Insert national public library infomercial staring me here.) So this sparked me to take this photo below the photo below of my cookbook shelf! I have also listed the stables and random cookbooks that I own below. Enjoy! xox Lka.

1. The Joy of Cooking - (Duh!) By Rombauer, Becker, Becker

2. The Fannie Farmer Cookbook - Marion Cunningham

3. Veganomicon the Ultimate Vegan Cookbook- Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero

4. The Classic Italian Cook Book - Marcella Hazan

5. Great Food Fast - Everyday Food

6. The Cooky Book - Betty Crocker

Pizza Party!!

2011-06-06T10:37:00.000-05:00

"Hey what's a matta' wit you?" That seemed like a good opener to this post about the amazing pizza party that we had over at my good friends Terry and Elizabeth's house last night. Terry has been really into the blog The Food in my Beard and had been reading up on the pizza oven that this blogger had previously made, which totally sparked this night to happen. I know he also played around with the dough and sauce recipes which I do not have but you can find simple recipes on the interwebs! Now that's Terry presenting our first pizza out of the oven in an Italian stands, we were all pretty proud that it came out looking like a pizza! But the taste was out of this world! Terry had been slaving away making all the pizza dough and homemade sauce so when we came over all we had to bring were toppings. The trick we found to a good pizza is the oven has to be insanely hot like 500 degrees and you need an awesome pizza peal and stone (in the oven), also you need to flour everything so the dough slides on to the stone nice and smooth. Pointer number two is if you make your own sauce don't put a lot of salt in it because when you add the cheese the slat factor goes up. Other then that just add good people a couple of bottles of wine and the godfather sound track and your pretty much ready to go!

Happy Friday!

2011-05-27T11:52:00.002-05:00

Last night after dinner Greg and I took a walk around our neighborhood and everything was looking really beautiful. I also got my summer shoes in from Amazon some sweet white denim Keds which I totally needed to break in. It's starting to heat up in Texas but the evenings are still providing a really nice breeze and a bit of a cool down. We actually got some rain a few days ago which is amazing and all the greens are coming back to life! I hope everyone has an awesome Memorial Day weekend! xo - Lka

Monday, Monday

2011-05-23T22:00:00.000-05:00

I have been shaping up my studio this past weekend, digging out old projects finding unpleasant flattened bugs under old piles of who knows what collecting under my desk. I refolded all my fabric, put all my undone projects in to neatly marked zipplock baggies. I mean it looks pretty good in here! I even managed to squeeze in a much needed Joe's coffee date with Greg. So when I sat down to my newly ordered desk I couldn't figure out what to make, so I just started drawing the cutest things ever which seemed to help even though it had nothing to do with anything I really need to be doing. I think I need to make this into a real doll what do you think?

Happy Monday people! xo

Anytime Healthy Comfort Food: Turkey Meatball Recipe

2011-05-22T12:19:00.000-05:00

When Greg is on tour I usually sneak weird food in the house and indulge in guilty pleasures that I would not if I were around another person and when Greg is driving state to state is fast food intake is high to say the lest. Since he's been back home we have been trying to be more active in our house hold, no we are not dieting but trying to cut back and be healthy. Sounds familiar right? Well... it totally sucks when you just want to eat some comfort food, so I created this healthier version of spaghetti and meatballs last night and it was oh so simple and easy! Not to mention cheep which what I like! I did serve these with whole wheat spaghetti which would have been a bummer but the meatballs tasted awesome so I didn't notice.(Not that I think whole wheat pasta is bad, I eat it all the time, but when you want comfort food it can be well blah) Please try it out for yourself and let me know what you think!

(Here we are hiking in Big Bend, so healthy, motivational shot people!)

Turkey Meatballs

Makes about 12-18 Meat Balls depending on how big you make them.

1.5 lb. Extra Lean Ground Turkey (any fat ratio will work)

1 Egg

2 Garlic cloves minced or pressed

1/4 Cup of Store bought Whole Wheat Bread Crumbs

1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese

1 Tablespoon Dried Basil

1 Tablespoon Dried Oregano

1/2 Tablespoon Salt

1/2 Tablespoon Pepper

1 Tablespoon Ketchup

1 Jar Store Bought Tomato Sauce ( I like Newman's Own Sockarooni)

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees. Line a large baking dish (I use a 11x13 inch. Pyrex) with parchment paper or grease with a little bit of vegetable oil. In a large bowl combined all ingredients working with your hands to make sure everything is combined well. Once everything is combined well take a palm full of meat and gently roll it in to a ball trying not to pack it to hard in your hand, once your done place newly formed meatball in the baking dish and repeat until all the meat is gone. Meatballs should be about 4 inches wide try to make sure they are all about the same size so they bake evenly. Once your done making the meatballs cover with aluminum foil place in the oven and bake for about 20 mins. After 20 mins. remove aluminum foil and bake for another 10-15 mins until meat balls are slightly browned and no pink remains in the center of the meatball. Once they are cooked through remove them from the oven and let stand.

While the meatballs are cooling slightly in a large pot over medium-low heat Tomato Sauce. Once sauce is warm add meatballs to the pot and coat them with the sauce. Serve in a sandwich or over spaghetti and enjoy!

Yum! Thanks Soyjoy!

2011-05-18T14:18:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to give a shout out my Soyjoy friends for sending me a box full of my favorite soyjoy flavor strawberry!! If you haven't tried these I recommend them they are a nice size I prefer them to luna bars because they taste like real fruit and not like artificial icing. And as you know I carry one in my purse with me at all times. So next time you check my blog just imagine that I am eat one of these and drinking some tea to keep me going mid afternoon.<3 Peace out dudes!

Broccoli Pesto Recipe!

2011-05-18T13:56:00.000-05:00

This is a crazy concoction that I threw together a few weeks ago that turned out to be the best thing ever!!!

It's easy and healthy and a great alternative if you don't have a huge bunch of basil to make traditional pesto.

The recipe can also be made vegan by omitting the parmesan cheese. Try it tossed into whole wheat spaghetti or as a spread on sandwiches! I am totally hungry now.

1 Head Broccoli cut in to small pieces

1/2 of a Yellow Onion Diced

Olive Oil

1/2 Tablespoon Red Pepper flakes

1/3 cup Parmesan Cheese

Salt and Pepper

2-3 Garlic cloves roughly chopped

1 Tablespoon Dried Basil

In a large skillet at Olive Oil and turn to medium heat. At Red Pepper Flakes and cook for one minute. Then add Broccoli and Onion and saute for 4 mins. Once Broccoli is bright green add Garlic (as much or as little as you want!) and saute until Broccoli is soft a cooked through. Take off heat and let cool for a moment and sprinkle the Dried Basil over the top. In the mean time set up your blender. The mixture will be very hot so you want to add it to the blender in a few batches adding a little bit of Parmesan Cheese and Olive Oil to each batch blending each until they are fairly smooth. The liquid left over from cooking the Broccoli and Onions in the pan should help the mixture move better in the blender, if you need to add a little water to the blender to help the mixture blend better you can. Once everything is combined add Salt and Pepper to taste. Add Broccoli Pesto to pasta and toss or use as a spread. Enjoy <3 !

What's in my Bag Finally!

2011-05-06T12:49:00.000-05:00

Hey friends! I know I have been seriously lagging in the blog department of life. My grad school is taking up most of my free time. So I thought I would do a "what's in my bag" post like every blogger ever. I have wanted to do this for a while but I just haven't, so here are the things I can't live without, note my phone is not here because I could live with out it. ha ha.
Going from top clockwise,

1. A light weight rap scarf for when it's cold inside some where.
2. My bag of course! Greg brought me this beauty back from Sweden. Check it out 10 Swedish Designers
3. My Daily Planner and Large Muji wallet. These hold my coupons, stamps and mail.
4. My amazing Rilakkuma pen, when you press the ears down it writes black or blue! C-u-t-e <3
5. A gridded memo pad from Mark's to make shopping lists and to do lists.
6. Weekly pill case for my allergy meds. from Muji.
7. Hello Kitty pencil case.
8. Soy Joy bar, or any kind of snack for when the blood sugar get low.
9. Chapstick, Lipstick, and a giant cotton candy Lipsmacker for nostalgia purposes.
10. Target hand sanitizer, because every bathroom ever is always out of soap!

Wow, that's alot of stuff. <3

More Nail Art! Get the Japanese Look!

2011-03-12T16:13:00.000-06:00

Oh hey friends! So as you can see I have gone crazy this week making ridiculous art on my nails. I guess I like it because it's like dressing really crazy but on a really small scale. Ha ha. Well today I gave my self a french manicure, let the polish dry and then applied these nail decals followed by 2 coats of clear polish. I'm sure you have seen nail decals and been tempted but haven't attempted, trust it's worth it, people I don't even know at the grocery store think I'm really cool now. So, yeah.

Strawberry Nails!

2011-03-10T10:22:00.000-06:00

So I have become really obsessed with painting my nails lately it's almost an addiction. So when I was stumbling around on youtube the other day I found this amazing strawberry nails how to video so I thought I would share. This took me way longer then I think it was suppose too haha. But it does make me really happy when I am typing up a storm and I look down and see that my fingernails look ridiculous!

Grass Fed Beef Street Tacos

2011-03-03T12:04:00.000-06:00

So as you can tell from my blog I don't really eat meat much... I do eat it every once in a while but don't cook it that much at home... but the other night my friend Bryant brought over some amazing grass fed extra lean ground beef from his farmer and I caved in! But oh so good! Grass fed beef Bryant told me has omega-3's in it which you don't get from normal grocery store beef, if you where wondering, I thought that was interesting. So we came of with this street/cart taco recipe (that's what my friend Elizabeth calls these little guys) off cuff which could totally be made vegetarian with veggie crumbles instead of beef so give it a try! The recipe below serves about 2 hungry people but you don't have to be exact on measurements if you want to make a big skillet of beef or veggie crumbles for a potluck or party, just eyeball the proportions!

This recipe serves about 2 hungry people 3 small tacos.

6-12 Soft Corn Tortillas

1 lb. of Grass Fed Extra Lean Ground Beef / or 1 Package of Veggie Crumbles

1/2 cup of diced Onion

2-3 Cloves of Garlic Minced

1/2 cup of diced Poblano Pepper (or a green bell pepper is a fine substitute)

1 tablespoon Canola Oil

1 tablespoon Cumin

1 tablespoon Oregano

1 tablespoon Chili powder of your choice (I like smoked paprika or chipotle if I am feeling spicy)

Salt and Pepper

Lime wedges and Hot Sauce for serving.

Preheat the oven to 150 degrees F. Line a Baking sheet with 6-12 Soft Corn Tortillas, I like to double up the tortillas on each taco if they are not super fresh cause some times they break and that is no bueno, and pop those suckers in the oven to warm while you cook.

First take out a cast iron skillet or non-stick skillet which every you chose, and add the Canola oil coating the skillet evenly turn the burner on medium heat. Then add Half or all the spices or 1/2 tablespoon of the Cumin, Oregano, and Chili powder to the oil, with a wooden spoon or spatula stir the spices in to the oil and cook for about a minute.

Once spices are nice and fragrant add Poblano pepper and Onion to the skillet making sure to coat them in the oil spice mixture, cook until pepper and onion are soft but not over cooked this might take 4-5 mins really depends on the pan you're using.

Once onion and pepper are soft add Grass Fed Beef or Veggie Crumbles the rest of the Spices, Garlic and Salt and Pepper (you be the judge on that). At this point if you are using Veggie Crumbles stir and combined every thing and cook till the Veggie Crumbles have defrosted and cooked through. If you are using Beef stir constantly to combined spices and everything else in the pan while braking up the beef in the pan into small pieces, stir constantly until the beef is cumbly and you don't see any more pink. At this point remove from heat but keep in the pan so the beef mixture stays warm.

Place tortillas on plates and add Beef mixture to each tortilla and garnish with lime wedges. Serve with Hot sauce and/or Pico de Gallo! Enjoy!

Palak Daal Remix

2011-02-26T10:43:00.000-06:00

I am finally back to blogging after a month of traveling to my grad program, visiting friends and family and being knocked out by a wicked flu, I am finally healthy and ready to get back in the swing of things. I had promised my friend Lauren that I would post a lentil recipe since we are both on a lentil kick in your respective kitchens.

So today I wanted to share with you a recipe that I have adapted from Heidi Swanson website 101 Cookbooks. If you haven't checked it out yet, brace yourself to fall in love with her. This is a recipe for Palak Daal or Spinach Lentils. I took out some of the extra cost ingredients to make this an insanely easy and cheap meal. What I really love about these lentils are it make a huge pot one serving actually fills me up and I love eating the leftovers. Serve the lentils with rice and a lemon wedge and you got it going on.

1 cup / 6.5 oz / 185 g white urid or urad daal, picked over and rinsed

6 cups / 1.5 liters water, plus more if necessary 

1/2 pound spinach, washed and finely chopped 

1 tablespoon ginger, peeled and finely chopped  (powdered works just fine)

1/2 teaspoon turmeric 

1 teaspoon garam masala

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons butter 

1/2 teaspoon cumin (seeds if you have it)

 1 teaspoon pure red chile powder 

 more salt to taste

 juice of 1/2 a lemon 

In a large pot over medium-high heat combine the daal and water. Bring to a boil, then add the spinach, ginger, turmeric, garam masala. Reduce the heat, and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until the lentils are extremely soft. You may need to add a bit more water during the cooking process to keep the lentils soupy. After an hour and a half, stir in the salt.

In a separate pan, heat the butter and cumin and fry until the cumin seeds start to pop. Now add the red chile powder and fry for another 30 seconds. Add this butter mixture to the lentils and allow to cook for another five minutes. Taste, and season with more salt if needed. I also enjoyed a touch of lemon juice added at this point. Serve with rice if desired and quartered lemon.

Serves 4-6 with rice.

Prep time: 20 min - Cook time: 120 min

DIY: Magnetic Spice Rack

2011-01-13T18:55:00.000-06:00

In welcoming the new year, I thought I would do some posts about house hold organizing! Coming from Brooklyn to Austin 3 years ago made me think my little house is this huge house, but in actually It's still a small space. I really need to be thinking more about space saving organizational ideas and for me the kitchen is the best place to start.

While I was looking through Lotta Jansdotters new life style book called handmade living, I spied a really great idea. I have about a million little baggies of spices pouring out of every angle of my kitchen, plus a full spice rack above my stove. On Lotta's fridge she has all her spices arranged in little magnetic containers. So I decided to recreate this a DIY project of course. I went online and ordered about 15 clear top containers 4oz. each, hot glued some ceramic heavy duty magnets on the back and voila! I was going to label the front but I really wanted to keep the clean simple design so I took a thin sharpie paint marker and just wrote on

the back instead.

A Letter to my good friend Coffee.

2011-01-07T19:17:00.000-06:00

I have gathered you all here today to tell you that I think we can't be best friends any more. You hurt my stomach daily and I try to ignore it but I just can't any more. The messed up thing is that I feel very dependent on our relationship mainly because if I don't drink you I get a head ache. This so so upsetting because of all the time I have invested in our relationship, I really don't want to kick you out of my life completely but I think we need a break. I still love even thought your too acidic for me. xoxo, LKA

any advice?

Highlights of 2010

2010-12-31T11:49:00.001-06:00

There is so much to reflect on this year! So many laughs, cry's, dancing, chilling out and special moments. So I thought I would take this opportunity to share the highlights of my year here on Two Lauras! Listed in no particular order.....

1. Getting engaged to the boy of my dreams.

2. Finishing my first year of Grad School wooo hooo!!

3. My lovely visits from Jen and Alan and Megan and Joan.

4. Learning to cook awesome vegan meals!

5. Seeing Taylor Swift in concert (yes I said that)

6. Singing the Jem theme song A Capella style with Natalie and Lauren in front of our entire school.

7. Learning to cook traditional pasta carbonara from my new French friends.

8. Chatting with Sean Lennon

9. Learning how to make and master veggie sushi at home.

10. Seeing First Aid Kit at SXSW.

11. Swimming in Barton Springs with Megan, Joan, and Larissa.

12. All the lovely meals had with my future Mother and Sister In-laws.

13. My little brother Graduating form College.

14. Aimee's beautiful wedding!

15. Going to see the Astros and the Spurs!

16. Enchanted Rock adventure with Greg.

17. Maine Maine Maine.

18. The lovely Brooklyn.

19. Having pizza with Bryant and Annabel at Grimaldi's.

20. Watching Greg sled for the first time! And waking up to my parents building us a sleigh riding path in the back yard.

21. perfecting my mujidara and hummus recipes.

22. Getting to spent Christmas with my whole family.

23. Meeting little Max Barkley and Cecilia Hopkins.

I hope you all have a chance to sit down relax and reflect on all the things that have passed us by this year and can look forward to the New Year with out letting fear or hesitation get in the way of your goals and dreams. See you next YEAR!

xoxo, Laura

Christmas Decorating

2010-12-17T10:40:00.000-06:00

A little sneak peek at my holiday decorating. Unfortunately my images stink!

Hope every one is having a great holiday season so far and checking things of on their to do lists! 8 days till Christmas! xoxo

Christmas List Part 2, Gift Guide!

2010-12-12T22:17:00.001-06:00

a set of 4 vintage looking typewriter postcards from Lolas Room $9.00

One really cute note card with a Coffee/Tea themefrom present and correct $4.60

One really cute Lilac One Second Poket Diary from Korea $22

This really cute baby Baggu in Red Dot for only $6

This amazing TIger Lily Teapot from Fred Flare $48

Thanksgiving Cards!

2010-11-26T12:17:00.000-06:00

Thanks Susie and Regina for your awesome Thanksgiving day cards totally festive and made the holiday brighter. xoxo

Recipes: Strawberry Rhubarb Syrup

2010-11-26T11:48:00.000-06:00

A couple of weeks ago I made this Strawberry Rhubarb Syrup, and it came out delicious. You can use it in mix drinks, over ice cream, or whatever you would like. It is really easy to make, and takes no time at all. You can double this recipe if you need more but it makes about 1 1/2 cups. Here is my recipe

- 1 lb. Strawberries Hulled and Quartered

- 1 Stalk of Rhubarb cut into 1 inch pieces

-1/2 cup Sugar

-1/4 cup Water

Combined all ingredients in a pot and heat over medium heat. Stir frequently. The rhubarb will begin to break down in to small threads, thats when you know that the syrup is ready. Hold a strainer over a heat proof bowl and slowly pour the mixture through the strainer into the bowl, you will need to do this in batches, cleaning the fruit fibers out the strainer as you go. When you have the syrup strained you can pour it into a glass jar or plastic container. Let the syrup cool completely and then store in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Post/Pre Thanksgiving

2010-11-26T11:36:00.000-06:00

Getting ready for round two with Greg's Family today, while digesting our own Thanksgiving feast from yesterday. I made my mom's pumpkin pie recipe this year for the first time. I haven't been able to spend Thanksgiving with my family in 3 years! So I thought it was time I brought a little tradition to our home here in Texas. Believe it or not this was my very first pie I have ever made, and it tasted just like Mom's. Hope y'all had a wonderful Thanksgiving however big or small it was, we all have a lot to be thankful for. BTW, would post the recipe for this pie but then I would have to kill you ;).

My Christmas List

2010-11-24T23:18:00.000-06:00

1. Maguba Clogs in silver or black.

2. a Blythe Doll possibly one with purple hair.
3. A Dutch Oven in a primary color to match my kitchen.

4. One bottle of Campari.

5. The Selby is in your place, the book.

Thanksgiving Menu!

2010-11-23T11:56:00.000-06:00

source. (this is me hanging out with the turkeys)

Greg and I usually celebrate our Thanksgiving on Friday instead of Thursday because Greg's family is so huge and has so many Thanksgiving dinners to attend too. Usually we have a "friend Thanksgiving" but all of our friends are going out of town this year! So I am planing an alternative menu for the two of us and I thought I would share it with you fellow internet friends!

Click on the links for the recipe.(all are vegan!)

Hummus and Chips

Harpoon Winter Warmer Beer

Pumpkin Baked Ziti with Caramelized Onions and Sage Bread Crumbs

(This recipe is originally from the Veganomicon Cookbook)

Carrots and Green Beans

More Etsy Drawings Up!

2010-11-12T14:45:00.000-06:00

Even more drawings updated today on my etsy! Check check check it outtttt! Happy weekend!

Etsy Update!

2010-11-11T15:10:00.000-06:00

Hey Friends, I have been adding some new drawings to my Etsy shop for the holiday season please check them out!!

Take Out at Home

2010-11-04T23:03:00.000-05:00

American Girl Thai Perfection!

So, I have been working really hard at trying to create a recipe that resembles something close to the delicious Thai take-out that I get in my neighborhood and tonight I finally figured it out. This recipe is by no means authentic but it fulfills my craving for sweet and spicy. I really encourage trying to cook globally; its fun saves you money when you want to cook but you also want take out. Plus it’s way easier then you think! You can switch out the veggies for what ever you have on hand because the coconut milk and spices really make the dish. Be adventurous and get your curry out, happy cooking!

American Girl Thai Curry

1 Tbsp. Canola Oil (any oil will work)

1 tsp. Crushed Red Pepper

½ Yellow Onion- sliced thin

½ Green bell pepper- cut in to small pieces

Snow Peas- about a handful

1 Carrot- peeled cut into rounds

4 Mushrooms- sliced

½ lb. Extra-Firm Tofu – cut into small cubes

2 Garlic cloves minced

1 inch piece fresh Ginger peeled and minced

1 ½ Tbsp. Yellow Curry powder (whatever kind you want)

1 tsp. Garam Masala

1 Tbsp. Sriracha

1 Tbsp. Sugar

1 can Coconut Milk

1 Lime juiced

Salt to taste

Brown Rice for serving

Prep all the veggies and set aside. Mince garlic and ginger set a side separately. In a large skillet over medium-high heat add Canola oil and Crushed red pepper flakes. Stir for about a minute and then add all the veggies; Yellow Onion, Green bell pepper, Snow peas, Carrots, Mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes. Add Tofu, Garlic and Ginger stir and cook for 2 minutes. Finally add Coconut Milk, Curry Powder, Garam Masala, Sriracha and Sugar; stir well and cook for 3 min. or until liquid cooks down a bit. Turn off the burner let the sauce sit a bit and it will thicken up. Add lime juice and salt and stir. Serve over Brown Rice, make sure you get all the saucy goodness!

Halloween Inspiration

2010-10-29T12:44:00.000-05:00

If I was going to be any kind of weirdo I would be this kind. I just watched Kamikaze Girls, recommended to me by my friend Megan. I loved it so much. So the obvious next step would be to become a Lolita right? Maybe not but here are some awesome images from the film!

DIY: Fall Wreath Project

2010-10-28T15:09:00.000-05:00

I have been really in to A Beautiful Mess's Tricks and Treats posts the last two weeks leading up to Halloween.When I saw this amazing Autumn Fabric Wreath by Elise Blaha I HAD to make it! It took no time at, a really easy and satisfying project. Happy Fall time!

Recipes: Pico De Gallo

2010-10-20T12:12:00.000-05:00

Today I wanted to share with you one of my favorite parts of what we call in this house hold Taco Night! Olé! Ok, ok I know your what your thinking not so exciting but it really is because all you have to do is pick up some tortilla's and throw in your favorite filling. (Click here for my Veggie Fajita Taco recipe). But for me what really makes taco night is fresh salsa, so I started perfecting my recipe for perfect Pico De Gallo. This is super easy so give it a try, and I use cherrie tomatoes here because I feel that their sweetness helps to balance out spicy fillings. I recommend serving this with soft corn tortillas or chips, but feel free to go crazy.

1 pint Cherrie Tomatoes quartered

1 cup diced fresh Cilantro

1/2 diced white or yellow Onion

1/2 of a Jalapeno seeded and diced (keep seeds for extra kick)

2 Limes juiced

In a bowl combined all of the ingredients listed above and stir making sure that the lime juice coats every thing evenly. You can serve this right away but it's best to let it sit in the refrigerator while you prepare your meal so that the flavors meld together.

Daily Inspiration: Tokyo Street Fashion

2010-10-17T00:09:00.000-05:00

I want to understand!!!!!! Here is my boyfriend Greg with a card board cut out of a girly selling something that has to do with foam, I love all this stuff so much it totally counter balances my clean minimal aesthetic that I usually go for. Also check out this article from jezebel for more crazy girl fashion.

Dinner: Manzana Chili Verde with Jalapeno and Onion Corn Bread

2010-09-25T12:15:00.000-05:00

Greg asked me last night, "What happens when I have to take the Veganomicon back to the library?" It's been such a good two weeks of cooking and going vegan. I guess I can renew it but I hate renewing books that I like, because some person out there in the world is not cooking from this book! Arrgh! (I would just buy the book but then I couldn't buy groceries, catch the drift? totally a catch 22.) Anyway, on Wednesday I had my friend Bryant and Annabel over for an awesome dinner. I made the Manzana Chili Verde and Jalapeno and Onion corn bread from the Veganomicon. The corn bread was a snap and the chili was a labor of love but all and all amazing dinner.

Manzana Chili Verde From the Veganomicon Cookbook

1 lb baby Yukon golds, cut into 1/2" pieces
2 T vegetable oil
1 large yellow onion, diced small
3 jalapenos, seeded and sliced thinly
2 poblano peppers, seeded and chopped into 1" pieces
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 t ground cumin
1 t dried oregano (preferably Mexican oregano)
1 t salt
1/3 c dry white wine
1 lb tomatillos, papery skin removed, washed, chopped into 1/2" to 3/4" pieces
2 Granny Smith apples, cored, quartered, and sliced thinly
2 c vegetable broth
1 c loosely packed fresh cilantro
1/4 c shopped scallions
1 (15 oz) can small white beans, drained and rinsed
Juice of 1 lime
Avocado slices for garnish

Place the chopped potatoes in a small saucepan, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Let boil, covered, for a little less than 20 minutes, until the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork. Drain and set aside. Of course, you should be preparing everything else while it is boiling.

Preheat a soup pot over medium-high heat. Saute the onion, jalapenos, and poblanos in oil for about 10 minutes, until everything is softened and the onions are slightly browned.

Add the garlic, cumin, oregano, and salt. Saute for 1 more minute, until the garlic is fragrant. Add the white wine and tomatillos, raise the heat a bit to let the wine reduce and the tomatillos release their juices, about 5 minutes.

Add the apples, vegetable broth, scallions, and 1/2 c of cilantro. Lower the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 20 minutes.

Use an immersion blender to partially puree everything. If you don't have one, let the mixture cool slightly and pulse in a blender or food processor.

Taste for sweetness/tartness. Tomatillos are sometimes bitter; if that is the case, add a teaspoon or two of sugar and that should level things out. Add the cooked potatoes and the beans, simmer for a few more minutes, until everything is heated through.

Add the remaining cilantro and the lime juice. Ladle into bowls, garnish with the avocado and scallions, and serve.

Dinner: A Middle Eastern Spread

2010-09-21T11:12:00.000-05:00

Greg and I got home from the grocery store a little late last night and I felt exhausted. (i.e. allergies in Austin are like a freight train to my face) and I wanted to make a really nice comforting meal something that resembled Morocco. So I came up with this little spread of home made hummus, Mujaddara, zaatar bread, olives, and of course wine! It came out so good and you would be surprised how easy it is to cook all these delectable dishes. So I thought I would share with you my recipe for what I consider the best hummus a white polish/italian/irish mutt can make and believe me she, I mean I, can make a pretty good hummus.

Laura K A's Hummus

1 Can cooked Chick Peas drained

1 Whole Lemon juiced

2 Large Garlic Cloves, minced

3 heaping spoon fulls of Tahini

1 tablespoon of Cumin

1 cup Water

1/2 cup Olive Oil

A shake of Paprika for garnish

In a blender add half of the chick peas and about a half a cup of water. Blend until smooth, you will have to stop the blender a few times to scrape down the sides. Once mixture is smooth add the rest of the chick peas and continue to blend until smooth, you may have to add some more water, just be patient and work in shifts of scraping and blending. Once the chickpeas are smooth add Tahini and blend until combined. Then add lemon juice, cumin, garlic, and olive oil and blend until smooth if you want the hummus to be thinner add more water as you see fit. Pour mixture into bowl and garnish with paprika. Serve with warm pita.

Recipes: Vegan Mac n "Cheese"

2010-09-21T10:19:00.000-05:00

Oh Hey folks another vegan recipe for you today! I'm really getting into this vegan cooking thing way more then I was expecting! It's a fun challenge and I am really eating better and feeling better all in the same package. Any way, yesterday was a magical day for no other reason then it was. I had black coffee at quacks and liked it. Shocker. (If you know me I am a sugar and cream girl all the way so, big deal.) After my work was done I went home starving scouring the cabinets for something delicious but of course we had nothing. But I made nothing into something wonderful. Every thing you most likely have in your pantry right now with exception of nutritional yeast flakes. (which I happened to have yesterday) You can buy this in bulk at health food stores and some grocery stores carry it if they carry a lot of vegetarian food products. I buy it in bulk for like $1.50 at Wheatsville coop here in Austin. So here is the recipe, you can add any veggies you like this is just what I had on hand, but I have to say the onions really added a nice touch!

Laura K A's Vegan Mac N' Cheese

1/2 bag of Whole Wheat Spiral Pasta

1/2 Onion Chopped

8 White Button Mushrooms sliced or a Cup presliced

1 Cup Frozen Peas

For "Cheezy Sauce recipe" adapted from The Veganomicon Cook Book.

2 Cups Water

1/4 Cup All-Purpose Flour

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

3 Garlic Cloves minced

Pinch of Oregano

1/4 Teaspoon Salt

Several pinches Freshly Ground Pepper

1/2 Teaspoon Cumin

3/4 Cup Nutritional Yeast Flakes

1 Tablespoon fresh Lemon Juice

1 Teaspoon prepared Yellow Mustard

In a large pot boil water for pasta and cook according to package directions.

Heat a skilled with a little bit of olive oil add mushrooms and onions and cook about 3 mins. then add frozen peas. Cook until onions are soft and translucent and peas are heated through. Turn of heat and let sit. When pasta is done drain and add to skillet.

For Cheezy Sauce, Combine water and flour with a whisk in a liquid measuring cup until all the flour is devolved.

Preheat a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Place oil and garlic in the pan and gently cook for about 2 minutes, stirring often and making sure not to burn the garlic.

Add oregano, salt, and pepper, and cook for about 15 seconds. Add water and flour mixture, cumin, and nutritional yeast, and raise the heat to medium. Use a whisk to stir constantly. The mixture should start bubbling and thickening in about 3 minutes; if it doesn't turn heat up. Once the mixture starts bubbling stir and cook about 2 more minutes. Add lemon juice and mustard and whisk in. The mixture should look like melted cheese. Add salt to taste. Then pour over pasta and veggies in skillet and stir to combined. Serve immediately.

Snobby Joe's

2010-09-18T11:15:00.000-05:00

So Greg and I are going vegan for a while to see if the diet does us good and so far it's working. The other night I made Snobby Joe's (sloppy joe's) from the all mighty Veganomicon a 101 guide to awesome vegan recipes good for your average or above average vegan and pretty much everyone else that likes good food in general. This recipe is made with lentils instead of meat. Of course we had a beer with it, you can see our Oh No Oh My beer cozies in the picture. Shameless self promotion in our house at all times Click here to buy your own! ;) ha ha. Any way, I also include a lame picture of my drying rack because I was thinking about how smalllll it is, but I will never get rid of it because I'll feel bad for some reason, maybe throwing out all that plastic. And there are my feet in my house flip flops attempting to step on to the kitchen mat in my PJ's to wash the dishes. I hate all you dishwasher owners. Have a good weekend!

Recipes: Veggie Fajita Tacos (vegan)

2010-09-15T16:15:00.000-05:00

Veggie Fajita Tacos (Vegan)
serves 4 people.

Veggie Tacos might not sound that exciting but trust me, this recipe is packed with flavor and the poblano pepper really makes them special.This has become a house hold favorite recipe here at our house and I finally feel that I have perfected it for you to make in your humble abode! These tacos are fresh and delicious not to mention really easy to make.

1 medium Zucchini quarter and cut into slices
1 medium Yellow Squash quartered and cut into slices
1/2 medium Onion cut in half and sliced thin
1 Poblano Pepper cut into one inch strips (if you can't find this you can sub green bell pepper)
1 Red Bell Pepper cut into one inch strips
1/2 Jalapeno seeded and diced
2 cloves of Garlic diced
1/3 cup Crumbled Tofu (Crumble it up with your hands!)
8 whole wheat flour tortillas (or corn if you can't get fresh whole wheat tortillas)
1 tbsp. Chili Powder
1/2 tbsp. Oregano
1/2 tbsp. Fajita Seasoning
2 tbsp. Olive Oil
mashed up large avocado for serving

Preheat the oven to 200F.

Line a cookie sheet with tortillas and pop in the oven.

Heat up oil, chili powder, and oregano in large skillet on medium heat.
add Zucchini, Yellow Squash, Onion, Poblano pepper, Red Bell Pepper and Jalapeno, and cook for a minute coating the veggies in oil and chili powder and oregano. Add fajita seasoning and cook for 3-4 minutes, then add garlic and tofu crumbles cook for another 2-3 minutes. Take of heat and transfer to a bowl to stop the cooking.

Take tortillas out of the oven and place them in a cloth lined basket for serving or tortilla warmer.

We like to serve these tacos with mashed up avocado for a topper and hot sauce (we like cholula).
Serve with beans. We are really into Goya's Ranchero refried beans they are vegan and a little spicy! And of course a Mexican Beer!! Enjoy! <-_->

Bridal Brunch Party

2010-09-14T10:05:00.000-05:00

During my summer trip extravaganza, I hosted a brunch for my dear friend Aimee who got married and two of my best friends at my parents house. It was pretty great to get to use my great grandma's fine china and my mom's beautiful silver wear. Trust me if I were hosting this event at my house we would be eating of ikea. period. Anyway, I thought I would share with you some pictures of my impromptu table setting, with flowers gathered from my mom's garden and the menu I used for the brunch party!

The salad is a just mix greens with home made lemon and olive oil dressing which is exactly what it sounds, a surprisingly big hit with the ladies. The egg dish is Giada De Laurentiis recipe Chicken and Orzo Frittata which was very, very easy. I made some home fries by cooking some new potatoes the night in boiling water till tender then I let them cool and then cutting them in to bite size pieces and threw them in a big ziplock with some chopped raw onion; so in the morning all I had to do was heat up the skillet with some butter and through in the potatoes and onion with my secret spices and cook until the onions are caramelized. To put this brunch to a new level of fancy I made raspberry butter and served it with ciabatta bread. This was inspired by a restaurant in my old neighborhood called Maggie Browns that serves raspberry butter and biscuits. All you have to do is take a stick of fairly cold butter and 3 heaping spoonfuls of raspberry jam and beater with an electric mixer until it combines, I might be kind of clumpy still but it sure is good!

Meringue Raspberry Ice Cream Cake, From Design Sponge. My tip is to add a sweeter dark chocolate other wise this comes out quite bitter.

All these recipes saved me a lot of time which gave me more time to be able to drink mimosas and catch up with the girls!

Summer Travels: Part 3, NYC and Brooklyn

2010-09-01T10:12:00.001-05:00

Muji recharge.
Pinkyoto.

Eskimix.

Home brewed kombucha.
Ft. Greene Farmers market, My Favorite yellow tomatoes!!
Breakfast at General Greene

Summer Travels: Part 2, Maine

2010-09-01T10:08:00.000-05:00

Summer Travels: Part 1 Vermont

2010-09-01T09:59:00.000-05:00

My friends and I sing the Jem theme song for our class.

Kismet Montpelier's smallest and best restaurant.

Summer Time.

2010-09-01T09:35:00.000-05:00

I know I dropped off of the face of the blogging earth (sphere), but I've been having a great time doing it. A whole month Holiday for me. I went to school for my 10 days in Vermont (low-residency program MFA, if you where wondering what that means) which is filled with the other great wonderful people in my life that keep me going. Then I went down to Connecticut to hang out with my Grandmas, rents, and brother. After that I took an awesome trip to Maine to see a great friend and her new baby and family with 3 of my best girlfriends, and it was WONDERFUL.Then it was back down to Brooklyn for the weekend catching up with friends and soaking in the old Alma mater and bliss that I call NYC. This week I am back in Connecticut in preparation for one of my best-est friends weddings. We have been crafting and planning and it's looking like the event of the year, I am really excited for her! Any way here are some of my summer highlights.

Cold Sesame Noodles

2010-06-16T11:23:00.000-05:00

I'm in crunch time right now with my grad program so I have put my blog on hold slightly but some one was asking for my recipe for cold sesame noodles so here it is! I adapted this recipe from the Moosewood Cook book. But feel free to make changes to the peanut sauce as you see fit.

1 package buckwheat soba noodles (or any type asian noodles)
cook 3 min. in boiling water. strain. run under cold water.

In a bowl combined warm water and peanut butter with a wisk and then add rest of the ingredients. Poor over noodles and refrigerate.
1/2 cup of peanut butter
1/2 cup warm water
2 Tbs sugar
2 Tbs soy sauce
1 Tbs salt
cyan pepper to tast
dash of orange juice

Prepare toppings and add to top of noodles serve!
1/2 cucumber peeled and cut into matchsticks
1/2 carrot peeled and cut into matchsticks
1 green onion cut into small pieces
2 Tbs sesame seeds

Mini Paper Moon Book

2010-05-18T16:57:00.000-05:00

New Artwork!

2010-05-18T16:42:00.000-05:00

A peek at my new series of hand sewn, embroidered and quilted pieces. Hope you enjoy even if the color is a little less vibrant. :)

Thursday: Food for Thought

2010-05-13T14:29:00.000-05:00

Some times I swear to God all I do is procrastinate. The other thing I do is jump from task to task on rotation like I'm spinning a giant wheel. I don't think this works that well because it means everything takes 10 times as long to get done. But I just cant help my self diagnosed ADD. What is a girl to do? .... Blog!

Ok here I a list of things that I should have no excuse not to do but never really get around to doing!!!

- Create an Etsy shop
-Make a quilt for myself
-Build a new shelf for the kitchen
-Read all the books people suggest to me
-Make curtains for the bedroom
-Watch Mad Men (I know, I know don't hate me to much)

I will now attempt to get some thing done.

Happy Monday : Austin Bats!!

2010-05-10T14:04:00.000-05:00

Ok so those of you who don't reside in Austin, TX we have a bridge that up to 1.5 million bats live under, and at dusk every night people line up on the bridge and wait for the bats to fly out and eat all the misquotes and bugs. So when my friends Jen and Alan came to visit me last week I was pretty burnt out on the bat bridge I had "seen it" in my mind but was still in good spirits for Jen and Alan to have their first bat experience. That night the bats took their time and we waited slightly longer then expected. When they all came pouring out it was really dark but I decided to take pictures any way. I just sat down to a ton of pitch black pictures and when I changed the exposer POOF! Bats! Very exciting! I felt like I was in the dark room developing pictures but in reality I was just siting at my kitchen table on my laptop. haha I hope you enjoy them!

2010-04-26T21:56:00.001-05:00

I've been working on putting together a visual portfolio to display my creative flair and possibly get more gigs or a job doing visuals some where. So here are some images I took today hope you enjoy them!

Blog Love!

2010-04-26T12:24:00.000-05:00

Check out my Clip art example here at Pugly Pixel! <3

Clip Art From Pugly Pixel!

2010-04-19T15:56:00.000-05:00

So, my new obsession, for the moment is Clip Art! Thanks to Katrina of Pugly Pixel, I have made some really cute clip art photos using her macaron and tape clip art downloads that you can find by clicking here and here! Give it a try it's so easy and fun!

June Carter is so cute!

2010-04-16T17:43:00.000-05:00

We Do Exist!

2010-04-15T22:14:00.000-05:00

Daisies (Sedmikrásky) from 1966 Is my new favorite film. It's by Czech New Wave director Vera Chytilová. She mixes existentialism, psychedelic imagery and feminism in one visually splendid package. A woman after my own heart. Netflix people!

Friendship Movement Strikes Austin!

2010-04-10T16:55:00.000-05:00

My friends Megan and Joan came to visit me this past week and I had such a wonderful time. There is nothing like the reuniting of sista hood to get me in the mood to make art again. Megan and I made this impromptu installation in my studio with whatever we found in my studio some things mine, some things Megan's.

Sushi Night!

2010-03-27T11:16:00.000-05:00

Last night I made veggie sushi for Greg, Bryant and I and I must say that it turned out pretty good. Sushi is pretty hard to make and there are a lot of steps involved to make it come out right. I am starting to learn to read directions and do things "by the book" which if you know me that is not something I enjoy doing. I still have some kinks to work out but here is my recipe for veggie sushi!

You will need:
Sushi Rice Cucumber
Rice Wine Vinegar Red Bell Pepper
Salt Carrot
Sugar Pickled Ginger
Sushi Mat Wasabi
Very Sharp Knife Soy Sauce

Rice:

3 cups sushi rice (short grain sticky rice)
-Put rice in a large bowl and run cold water over it swishing it around in a circle, then drain as much of the water as you can. Do this about 4 times until the water comes up clear.
-Transfer the rice in to a large pot and add 3 + 3/4 cups of water let sit for 30 mins.

In the mean time make sushi vinegar. This is what make the rice taste like the real deal.
-1/2 cup rice wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons sugar
- In a sauce pan combine ingredients on medium heat until sugar is devolved. Take off heat and let sit.

Cover rice and turn on High, bring to a boil. With out letting to much steam out check rice. Once at a boil reduce to simmer medium low heat and let cook with lid on for 15 mins. After that turn heat of and let steam for another 10-15 mins. with lid on. Once cooled down transfer it to wooden bowl if you have it and gently fold in sushi vinegar. let rice cool to room temp.(you can also put it in the fridge).

Veggies
-Cut Half of a Cucumber, Red Bell pepper, Carrot, and Avocado in to small strips for filling.

I would explain the whole art of rolling the maki but you should just watch this youtube video because thats what I did! Enjoy!

Pin Cushions!!

2010-03-26T13:20:00.000-05:00

Oh hey, so I went crazy making funny pin cushions the other day. I love the way they look and how they function they are super easy to make and the possibilities are endless. The strawberry is a vintage bit from some old pin cushion that I just sewed a little bit of elastic to, to turn it in to a ring. This is total ideal for working on small projects. The bracelet I just made a little pillow and sewed elastic to that too great for quilting!!

Things I don't need but want!

2010-03-26T12:53:00.000-05:00

I am slightly obsessed with the Japanese Washi tape that I found on The Tinted Mint's online shop website. I find it funny that for some reason I would buy this $6 dollar roll of decorative tape but I wouldn't by myself socks that I need. Oh well! TGIF!

Nomadic Life

2010-03-23T18:10:00.000-05:00

source 1, source 2, source 3, source 4,
Love the Gypsy interiors!

Bento Boxes!

2010-03-23T00:31:00.000-05:00

source
source
source
source
Bento Boxes are amazing and making me hungary! I really want to try making one for myself. The recipes on the website just bento are great and they really brake down for you the nutritional factors of the bento too!

Melody Nelson

2010-03-22T22:41:00.000-05:00

I had some French friends stay with us for SXSW and they made me listen to Melody Nelson by Serge Gainsbourg what they consider the most popular French album of all time. So it made me think of how much I like Jane Birkin so I thought I would make a little post about her.

yayoi

2010-03-08T16:53:00.001-06:00

Oh Hey 2010 It's Mid February!

2010-02-17T19:00:00.000-06:00

Hello friends and random readers of Two Lauras. I have been mucho busy this year between starting Grad School to fixing up my home studio that I haven't really had time to attend to my blog. But I wanted to let you all know that I'm back in a major way and I am not giving up you or me! Any way I thought I would start of this year right by making a post about breakfast my favorite meal of the day. I love the ritual of making coffee, tortillas, or toast and frying eggs. It always feels like a fresh start. When I lived in Brooklyn I usually ate breakfast out in the neighborhood because it was so cheap and I like to check out what every one was up to in the neighborhood. Ether way is great It always marks a new beginning for me.

Source
I am obsessed with this ceramic toaster designed by George Watson which is designed around the ritual of breakfast.

christmas Week!!!!

2009-12-18T23:59:00.000-06:00

Christmas Week!!!!

2009-12-18T23:57:00.000-06:00

Christmas Week!!!!

2009-12-18T23:51:00.000-06:00

to all my old friends

2009-12-12T15:38:00.000-06:00

My 2 mins of fame

HOME

2009-12-12T13:10:00.000-06:00

HOME Here is an official little link to show at Rock Paper Scissors Collective in Oakland I'm participating in!

Inspiration: Mom's Flow Blue China

2009-12-10T15:54:00.000-06:00

Deck the Halls!

2009-12-08T21:51:00.000-06:00

I Have been Droollllling over this amazing kitsch wreath I saw the other day on Rachies Place blog and I just couldn't get it out of my mind. So I made a little/big trip to Michael's today to get the stuff and made this little beauty above! I have another one in the works for a very special friend that also has an L in her name and has no Christmas decorations in her apartment. (Cough, cough you know who you are!)

OH and my awesome boyfriend has his amazing Christmas covers on his bands blog that you should download while decking your halls Oh No Oh My!

HOME Exhibition

2009-12-04T21:01:00.000-06:00

Hey friends if your in the Oakland area be sure to swing by Rock Paper Scissors Collective and check out the December exhibition, HOME: Reviled in hand made prints. Yours truly has this print below hanging up thanks to my good friend Devon and her friends at the RPSC!

New Drawings

2009-12-02T15:12:00.001-06:00

Karl Stevens

2009-12-02T14:45:00.000-06:00

Found this guys link through my childhood BFF Pat Barrett who is also an amazing comic book artist. I just thought this was really funny.

Click here to check out his stuff.

DIY Christmas Cards!

2009-12-02T13:52:00.000-06:00

The other day I scored an amazing stack of vintage rapping paper ($8 !) from one of my favorite shops in the neighborhood room service. So I decided to make a really simple Christmas card by glueing the rapping paper on to the face of blank cards. I was going to cut them into shapes but they where all so amazing that facing the whole front of the card with the paper seemed to be the best idea. This is the easiest card ever. You could make these with holiday fabric or old holiday cards too. Easy I could do this with my eyes closed people!

Moon Comic

2009-11-17T14:59:00.000-06:00

Music Pick: A Giant Dog

2009-11-17T14:38:00.000-06:00

Check these kids out they are funny and nice. I drew them the other night. And their band name is A Giant Dog. How great is that.

Where the Wild Things Are.

2009-11-07T00:39:00.000-06:00

I was totally enchanted and mesmerized by this film. My love for Maurice Sendak is deep rooted to say the lest. His illustrations and stories have made a major impact on my work. I feel like this film was the most accurate representation of what it's like to have to deal with the emotions of childhood and at the time realize that your growing up, or at least everything around you is whether you like it or not. It's nice to see such a honest film even if it is a little depressing and gloomy. I just love Carol that's all.

Yo necesito uno Baggu Penguin.

2009-11-07T00:18:00.000-06:00

I love Baggu so much. I have one and it is my favorite shopping bag period. So I went on line to buy more cause you can never have to much of a good thing right, of course the only thing these people sell that is not a wonderful bag is a penguin. Go figure.

Music Pick

2009-10-21T23:56:00.000-05:00

Thanks Bryant!

Duchesses

2009-10-21T16:30:00.000-05:00

for up coming sparkle mag!

Cornucopia !

2009-10-20T12:17:00.000-05:00

Today was my first official Farm house delivery! Farm House Delivery is a Austin based CSA. They deliver right to your door with a smile and a array of fresh locally grown produce. I am so excited because ever since leaving Brooklyn I have missed my lovely CSA pick up, (not the pick up part) but the lovely amazing feeling you get when you know that your food was picked right from the farm to your table at home. Greg and I have been so busy running around between work, studio, band practice, and squeezing in the time for our friends, cooking has been the last thing on to do list. I am starting a new job, new school and getting ready to pause and spend a lot of time at home working on art. It's nice to have the time and sanity to be able to cook again!

BTW those turnip greens are like the size of me... potluck any one?

I just got in to Vermont College of Fine Arts!

2009-10-09T14:03:00.000-05:00

THIS IS HOW I FEEL RIGHT NOW!

Drawings: The End of Summer

2009-10-04T12:47:00.000-05:00

I thought I would commemorate the end of the summer with a post of summer sketches from my little sketch book. Enjoy!

Pattern Recognition

2009-10-02T16:34:00.001-05:00

party for the weekend!

2009-09-25T22:09:00.000-05:00

L-O-V-E this!

2009-09-22T18:42:00.000-05:00

Lookin' fierce! I can't wait to save up to get the new Sartorialist book!!!

When I was 15 I only cared about..

2009-09-19T16:56:00.000-05:00

Lovely Austin!

2009-09-17T11:57:00.000-05:00

Hey friends! I am pleased to announce that I officially have a few things for sale at this wonderful new boutique opening up in down south called Lovely Austin. The store displays consignment from local fashion designers and artists. I have a few hand silkscreened bandanas and a wood print pillow on display and a t-shirt line to come in the future... So please pop in and see what's going on!

Photos: Things I like

2009-09-12T22:44:00.000-05:00

I have been super busy so I thought I would make a post of some collected images of wonderful things that make me happy. Pancakes on the beach in Santa Barbara. Home made string globe at my friend Cody and Garrett's bachelor pad. Double Doubles at In and Out Burger. My Danish candle stick holders. Silver grass in Silver Lake, Ca. Cody's projector. Spinning around under the Austin Christmas light tree.

Blythe and Life

2009-09-04T14:53:00.000-05:00

On the our realms of crazy. I still can't even kind of afford one of these dolls but I will continue to obsess.

Hankie Runner

2009-09-03T12:54:00.000-05:00

I have a Million and one vintage handkerchiefs and find it hard to display them, so I created this little project. I picked out six white cotton hankies with the colorful lace edges (these ones are more common you can find them at any vintage or antique dealer and they're super cheap). I simply sewed them together on the sewing machine. Most of the handkerchiefs have holes in them and little tares so to keep it looking kind of raw I left the thread hanging out in some parts and didn't fuss with it to much.

Music: First Aid Kit

2009-09-01T14:09:00.000-05:00

Love yes Love has swept over my heart when I heard the beautiful voices of First Aid Kit for the first time. The are a Swedish sister duo of Klara & Johanna Söderberg. Klara is 17 and Johanna is 19! I haven't heard many things lately that have really touched my tear duct and they have in a serious way. So here is some beautiful awesome videos and voices for you to enjoy!! Click here for there myspace.

Announcing LauraKAlger.com!

2009-08-31T12:50:00.000-05:00

I am rising from the dead! It's been a long couple of weeks, between being sick and applying to grad school my time for blogging and art making has been few and far between, but with all that said I am pleased to annouce the launch of my new website Laurakalger.com!

I will be adding new images frequently so be sure to check in for new things as the weeks progress!

Music: Dusty Springfield

2009-08-17T19:30:00.000-05:00

Making my day a little less gray

to my bffab's

2009-07-31T17:42:00.000-05:00

What memories are made of

2009-07-30T11:12:00.000-05:00

No, I'm in love with you Milo.

Recipes: Gnocchi with Summer Vegetables

2009-07-29T12:22:00.000-05:00

After living almost your whole life in an area densely populated by Italians moving to Texas and eating Italian food isn't quite the same. So the other night I was craving Gnocchi so bad and after seeing this recipe in Everyday Food I thought I would give it a try. And.... just to let you know this has to be hands down my favorite recipe thus far not just on Gnocchi terms on any terms. So here it is please make it and you wont be disappointed.

(One tip gradually add the water you don't need all of it.)

Everyday Food issue 63. Page 13, 14.