I want to meet her brother

Such as, I believe, uhmmm, he will put out

So what if I took a break?

Jesus, you're all so nosey.

So while I wasn't blogging, I was moving from San Jose to Half Moon Bay, interning @ BBH, living la vida Harlem, and visiting THE Foxy Lady in D.C

I'll be starting up a new blog - it's an extension of this one, so don't wet your chonies.

HarvesTED

This ad for Toohey's Extra Dry convinced me to plant bottle caps in my backyard. I mean who doesn't want a lawn full of hair-pods to water/blow dry/buff and eventually trick your neighbors to become food. It's like David Lynch and David LaChapelle's love child after a midnight viewing of Little Shop of Horrors. If someone can tell me what's playing in the background I'll invite you over for a swim - Toohey's on me!



Client: Toohey's Extra Dry
Title: HarvesTED
Agency: BMF

Giada Does San Jose

There is something wrong with waiting for a Food Network chef for over three hours on your day off. However, I had a blast making small talk with suburban mothers and other foodies while waiting to get my copy of Giada De Laurentis's latest cookbook, Everyday Pasta, signed.

All in all it was a surreal experience - after the long wait, I got a quick hello, but let me tell you, Giada has a smile that makes your heart dance (think Hanson's MmmmBop).

When Copy Is All You Need

Sometimes words are more powerful than visuals, gimmicks, or a spokesperson. Wieden & Kennedy (for Nike) demonstrate that the most effective defense against vile words are courageous words. Well done.

***

I just realized how incredibly small the type is on the ad - so if you're eyes are as bad as mine, the following is the copy in the ad:

Thank you, ignorance.
Thank you for starting the conversation.
Thank you for making an entire nation listen to the Rutger's team story. And for making us wonder what other great stories we've missed.
Thank you for reminding us to think before we speak.
Thank you for showing us how strong and poised 18 and 20-year-old women can be.
Thank you for reminding us that another basketball tournament goes on in March.
Thank you for showing us that sport includes more than the time spent on the court.
Thank you for unintentionally moving women's sport forward.
And thank you for making all of us realize that we still have a long way to go.
Next season starts 11.16.07

New Mexico is for ... Aliens

For those of us who have ever worked in an office environment, where vacation days are few and far between and sick days are never used when you're actually sick - well this ad's for you. I mean really, it's always about the water cooler and the copy machine - that's where all the good stuff goes on in the office - and M&C Saatchi capture that.

Let me just point out, at the moment that Barry pops THE question, She-lien raises her swishity-swoosh in combat mode. For a second there, I thought that she was going to salivate all that gooey stuff they use to make milk shakes. The only thing that could have made this ad better was if Ripley burst through the ceiling wielding a blow torch (oh well - thank goodness for our imaginations).

Dinner in Three Hours

Yesterday, San Jose was a mild 63º, raining off and on, and so perfect for some slow-cookin'. This meal was exactly what chilly days were meant for.

The Menu:
Zucchini and Carrot Scapece
6 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
5 Large zucchini
3 Garlic cloves
1/4 Cup fresh basil leaves
1/4 Cup fresh mint leaves
10 Medium carrots
1/4 Cup red wine vinegar



Tuscan White Bean and Garlic Soup
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
1 Tablespoon olive oil
2 Shallots
1 Fresh sage leaf
2 Cans cannellini beans
4 Cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
4 Garlic cloves
1/2 Cup heavy cream
1/2 Teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
6 Slices ciabatta bread
Extra-virgin olive oil


Tagliatelle with Short Rib Ragu
3 Tablespoons olive oil
2 Ounces pancetta
2 1/2 Pounds short ribs
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 Cup all-purpose flour
1 Medium onion
1 Carrot
1/2 Cup fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 Garlic cloves
1 Can tomatoes
1 Tablespoon tomato paste
1 Teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 Teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 Teaspoon dried oregano
1 Bay leaf
2 1/2 Cups beef broth
1/4 Cup red wine
1 Pound tagliatelle
6 teaspoons shaved bittersweet chocolate

All in all this meal comprised most of my Saturday afternoon and early evening, but the result was well worth the effort. The most satisfying aspect of the meal was the shaved bittersweet chocolate on top of the warm short rib ragu - its subtle taste reminded me of mole, a mexican dish that also uses chocolate, that my granny makes during the winter.


I should also let you know that I will be cutting back on the meals to every other week, instead of every week. Naturally, living on a students income doesn't warrant the luxury of preparing meals every week - so for now, rather than sacrifice the integrity of the meals I prepare, I will just postpone their preparation for a week longer.

Recipes courtesy of Everyday Pasta by Giada De Laurentiis

Boost is Magic!

Everything about this ad is magic - particularly the "news flash" piano that occurs right when Mr. Nobody gets his telepathic boost. I'm kicking myself (softly, of course) for landing an internship with BBH - the brains behind it all. Nice work.



Client: Axe
Title: Better Kisser
Agency: BBH NYC

Books, Cooks and Magazines

Have you ever noticed that when you're completely stressed out you tend to buy in mass quantities? Over the past few days I've accumulated enough books and magazines to warrant a new bookcase. Here is a sample of what I bought:

Books:
How to Put Your Book Together and Get a Job in Advertising by Maxine Paetro.
This book was recommended by C.F @ Deutsch NYC for those interested in working as a creative.








Truth, Lies & Advertising by Jon Steel
Recommended by S.J @ RPA L.A for those interested in strategic planning.










Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris
Recommended by L.B @ SJSU for inquisitive minds (it's a novel, a juicy one at that).










Magazines:
V - Spring 2007
It says it's The Biggest V Ever! All I care about is the working Girls spread by Mario Testino - it's fucking brilliant!









V Man - Spring/Summer 2007
I had to. I mean, it's V but with more men.











Ready Made - April/May 2007
They have a pot rack made from a bicycle wheel!











HOW - 2007 Design Annual
It was a bit pricey at $15, but it's like a who's who in the design world + it also has strategies for presenting a winning portfolio - who doesn't want that?





Cooks:
Everyday Pasta by Giada De Laurentiis
The book was my "ticket" to see her at Sur De Table on April 21st - can't wait to gush over her.












Barefoot Contessa at Home by Ina Garten
Seriously - she needs to teach marriage counseling. I'm convinced she's the only woman in America that is qualified to do so - her husband has been madly in love with her for over 20 years and I'm betting her cooking has a lot to do with it.





Dave's Dinners by Dave Lieberman
Can I just tell you that I became totally interested in him for all the wrong reasons. But really now, can you blame me? If you can't answer this - you need to check out his show (even his website is sexy!)

Dinner for One

Nothing says "I love myself" like cooking yourself a delicious meal on a Saturday night. Now, you may be thinking why dinner for one? Well, to be honest, I wanted the entire bottle of Yellow Tail chardonnay for myself. Okay, okay - I lie. Here is important lesson number one: No matter how fabulous the book store is, how many gadgets there are to look at Sur De Table, or how much you enjoy a latte from Peets, you must always remember to invite someone over. Lesson learned.

The Menu:

Roasted Red Peppers & Ricotta Crostini

4 red peppers
1 fresh baquette
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
40 grinds fresh black pepper
1 container broccoli sprouts





Garlic-Sauteed Spinach

10 ounces curly, whole leaf spinach
3 tablespoons evoo
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
Salt







Chicken Scaloppine with Lemon-Caper Sauce

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
15 grinds fresh black pepper
Olive oil
1/3 cup white wine
2 tablespoons capers
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/2 lemon


Optional: Down a glass of wine and pump up some Feist - I think food tastes better if you move your hips as much as possible during the prep.


An hour and three glasses of wine later, you get:



All in all a great meal!

If you would like to be my guest for an upcoming Blog-O-Meal, send me a message - special considerations for those who have a background in shooting food. Until next time!



All recipes courtesy of Dave Lieberman's Dave's Dinners