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Aug

Fab Friday – Cooking In Stilettos Edition

Posted by: Lys | Comments (2)

Fridays are my fave day of the week – the weekend is imminent, the sun is shining (at least in Philly today) and there are always pretty things to take a gal’s mind off the Monday that always approaches so quick. Here are a few things that have me enamored lately and I figured that I’d go with a Fab Friday countdown with a little Philly luv thrown in. So, here we go…

Fab Friday-8.6 by CookingInStilettos on Polyvore.com

Brian Atwood Maniac Platform Pump in Teal: I have been OBSESSED with the Maniac pump – and when I saw it in Teal I just have to have it. Don’t know how or when, but this is on my must get list for fall. Even looking at the picture makes me happy. [What - you thought I was not going to lead off with shoes? C'mon now!]

Cuisinart Elite 16 Cup Food Processor: The more I think about it, the more I have justified the need to get the new Cuisinart Food Processor. After my Nigella screw up with the corn pudding and the new features on the new Cuisinart, I think it is a wise investment. Now, if I can only stop thinking that I need a mandoline in addition to the Food Processor *LOL*

Global 7″ Hollow Edge Santoku knife: One of the best investments I have ever made (besides, of course, my Le Creuset and my Louboutins) – my favorite knife of all knives, my Global 7″ Santoku knife. I’ve sliced and diced many a finger with some of the others I have tried but this one has yet to ever let me down (or make me reach for a bandaid).

Dianne Jacobs’ “Will Write for Food” (2nd Edition): I love love LOVE this book and it’s such a wealth of knowledge. While I had the first edition and often refer to it, I wasted no time in badgering my local Barnes & Noble (thanks Carol) to securing me a copy of the 2nd edition. When I got the call it was in, I made a beeline immediately to pick it up and it’s gone with me everywhere. While I’m super busy at the day to day, I always whip it out when I have a few minutes to continue my journey on learning how to be a better food writer. I can only hope that Dianne comes to Philly some day to speak.

Tutti Frutti – Dessert Choux: I heard about Tutti Frutti through Philly word of mouth and on my agenda this week is checking out their killer dessert choux! I couldn’t find a pic that I could clip of it but they do have them at CityPaper. Let me tell you, I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about it from a number of peeps who have tried it. Plus – choux pastry and froyo? Yes please!

What has you enamored on this Friday?

Pic credits:

1: ShoeGoddess.com
2 & 3: Williams Sonoma.com
4: Barnes & Noble
5: Foobooz.com

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Categories : Fab Friday, Favorite Things, Philly, Williams-Sonoma

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Jan

Haitian Relief: Stiletto Style…

Posted by: Lys | Comments (1)

I’m sure many people have texted, donated and come up with some great ideas to get aid to Haiti. My heart broke when I saw the images on the television of people suffering – and through it all I was grateful for the many blessings I have.

So, I’ve decided that this weekend’s posts will be spotlighting some great events, ideas and more that might inspire you to reach out and pay it forward.

One of my fave fashion bloggers, Tiffany of I.Am.Stylish recently posted about her brother who had a birthday wish – to raise money for Haiti. Now I know this is a cooking/entertaining blog but I had to spotlight – technically she does blog about stilettos so that ties in with Cooking In Stilettos, right? Well, I’m happy to say that her brother has raised over $13,000 so far and they are still raising funds. Now that is some serious outreach. Tiffany decided to sweeten the pot and offer one of her amazing photographs for a donation over $20.00 to Doctors Without Borders. Every little bit counts!

As I am OBSESSED with all things Loubou, you know I had to go with a Loubou print. However, if she should start selling her prints, I would totally scope up the Gucci one as well – both would look fabulous for every fashionista’s wall. Not to mention, her other photographs are out of this world.

If you can, drop by her site and check it out. Paying it forward – that’s what it’s all about!

(Photo courtesy of Tiffany of IAmStylish.com – used with permission)

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Categories : Charitable Giving, Fashion, Favorite Things, Photography

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Nov

A Few Of My Favorite Things: Philadelphia’s Italian Market…

Posted by: Lys | Comments (10)

I recently flew up to Philadelphia for a birthday soiree thrown by two of my fave people, Meowmix and Reese at one of my favorite restaurants and in between hanging out with good friends, shopping and such, I also took some time to head over to my favorite culinary hangout in Philadelphia – the Italian Market.

One thing I MISS about not being at least in driving distance of Philly is the airline restrictions with luggage. No longer am I able to load up my suitcase with spices and goodies to take back to Orlando. Basically, my thought is that while my friends are crashing from partying the night before, I love to take the car and zip down to 9th Street and wander the Italian Market aimlessly with my coffee in hand as I take in the sights, smells and sounds. I always have such great conversations with the retailers and customers alike and, apparently, I must look like a Philly gal because this last trip, a tourist stopped moi and asked for help with finding some good spots to check out in town. (And Meowmix will tell you that I normally have this mean mug face when shopping to avoid the overzealous sales people so if I’m that calm in the Italian Market and approachable, you know I’m in heaven).

So this rainy, Saturday morning, I decided to zip on down to the Market and get some blog fodder for Cooking In Stilettos. Plus I need to fondle pots at Fantes, see if I can find some new cookbooks, pick up some spices and stock up on Pumpkin Spice Coffee. As I’m turning onto 9th Street, who walks in front of my car with HIS coffee but my old floor producer from TheShow back in the day – Rennie. How utterly random. After a quick convo (and so I wouldn’t hold up traffic), promises to call later, assurances that I would be home again, etc. I shot down 9th Street and started looking for a parking space.

Now y’all know parking in Philly is at a premium, so I have a few tricks I use – side streets, careful attention to the signs (don’t need to be on an episode of Parking Wars) and after careful prayers and putting it out there, a spot was procured. I found one a few streets over, channeled my inner parallel parking diva and while my parking wasn’t sooooo great (I’m rusty – shoot me), I grabbed my purse and headed for the crowds. As I didn’t take my normal camera and only had the Blackberry, please forgive me if the shots seem a bit “off”.

Walking down one of the gorgeous side streets on the way to the Italian Market

A mainstay in the Italian Market – DiBruno Bros. Who know, you might run into one Ms. Patti LaBelle here as she’s known to frequent the Market and DiBruno Bros.

One of the many produce stands that lines the sidewalk. The streets are narrow as are the sidewalks so the key is to shop quick, walk quick and everyone is happy.

Esposito’s – one of the BEST places for meats and fish

The Spice Corner is one of my favorite spots to hang out in. I pretty much cleaned them out of their pumpkin spice coffee (one for SL and the rest for yours truly). I picked up a number of spices, some great loose teas and some stuff for a upcoming holiday contest… Everything there is fresh, the people are so sweet and helpful and

I headed to Fante’s to see what was new in all things Le Creuset, Global and more. Plus, I was craving some good coffee so I dropped by their coffee shop to get a fabulous Cafe au Lait and pumpkin biscotti.

Claudio’s beckoned and in I went to purchase some pantry staples i.e. quick polenta, gnocci and some other goodies. Trust me, check out the photos of the cheeses below. I could have done WAY more damage but they wouldn’t have lasted on the way back to Orlando. :::sigh:::

Isn’t that cheese selection divine? Oh how I wanted to throw a Philly soiree. Claudio’s – can you please open a shop in Orlando, pretty please?

Finally, as I’m trotting down another side of the street, I saw one of my weaknesses – pizzelles. If you have never had them, you must try. They are an Italian cookie and are sooo good. But much like Lay’s potato chips, you can’t have just one.

Quickly swiping up a package, I headed into Antonio’s Italian Coffee and Chocolate House to purchase and was greeted with this sight:

Chocolates and Gelato? Wait – a minute -homemade gelato? Now I’m really overwhelmed and thinking “Can I just wear jeans tonight and leave the form-fitting dress for another day?” I decide to bring some treats back for the gals as thanks for everything they did for my birthday and pick up a little somethin’ somethin’ for me too.

The homemade truffles were divine. My favorite was the Sea Salt Caramel and the gals loved the Hazelnut and Kahlua ones. If you can, order a box for someone you love during the holidays. They will adore it.

And check this out – they have CANNOLI KITS! No, seriously, they ship the fixings for cannolis to you ASAP and you can treat your family to a bit of Italian Market heaven.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CONTEST ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, to give a little holiday gift to two lucky blog readers, leave a comment on this post NO LATER than Dec. 7, 2008 telling me about either your experiences in my favorite city, Philadelphia, or if you haven’t been to Philly, what is your favorite holiday recipe/goodie to share with others. We’ll pick two winners using a Random Number Generator and I’ll have a little something from Antonio’s shipped your way for the holiday season. Make sure to include your email!!!

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