tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78096289688275903402024-03-13T12:51:47.564-05:00fourth floor walk upEmilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15152066434731918003noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809628968827590340.post-89063350258581678132011-06-27T21:29:00.001-05:002011-06-27T21:29:47.897-05:00everything that's interesting costs a little bit of money<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div style='position:relative;width:500px;height:500px;'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/everything_thats_interesting_costs_little/set?.embedder=2590623&.mid=embed&id=33249988'><img force='1' border='0' height='500' title='everything that's interesting costs a little bit of money' src='http://embed.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/cid/33249988/id/NK7efS6h4BGd6XUWT2Fd2g/size/x.jpg' alt='everything that's interesting costs a little bit of money' width='500'/></a></div><br/><div><small><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/everything_thats_interesting_costs_little/set?.embedder=2590623&.mid=embed&id=33249988'>everything that's interesting costs a little bit of money</a> by <a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/profile?.embedder=2590623&.mid=embed&id=2590623'>bicyclefortwo</a> featuring <a href='http://www.polyvore.com/choker_necklaces/shop?query=choker+necklaces'>choker necklaces</a></small></div><small><div style='padding-top:16px'><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2590623&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=35621503' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://cf2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/35621503.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2590623&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=35621503' rel='nofollow'>Summer dress</a><br/>$335 - farfetch.com<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2590623&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=32740812' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://cf2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/32740812.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2590623&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=32740812' rel='nofollow'>Yves Saint Laurent wedge sandals</a><br/>$716 - bluefly.com<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2590623&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=35117560' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://cf1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/35117560.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2590623&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=35117560' rel='nofollow'>Mulberry leather handbag</a><br/>$1,500 - net-a-porter.com<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2590623&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=35292815' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://cf2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/35292815.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2590623&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=35292815' rel='nofollow'>Choker necklace</a><br/>$1,225 - farfetch.com<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2590623&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=36858593' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://cf2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/36858593.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2590623&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=36858593' rel='nofollow'>Yves Saint Laurent floral ring</a><br/>£165 - harveynichols.com<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2590623&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=35641694' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://cf1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/35641694.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2590623&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=35641694' rel='nofollow'>1928 Jewelry dangle earrings</a><br/>$18 - 1928.com<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p></div></small></div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15152066434731918003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809628968827590340.post-60442101143640254872011-06-27T20:48:00.001-05:002011-06-27T20:48:38.147-05:00before sunset<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div style='position:relative;width:500px;height:500px;'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/before_sunset/set?.embedder=2590623&.mid=embed&id=33248125'><img force='1' border='0' height='500' title='before sunset' src='http://embed.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/cid/33248125/id/Dnxqryih4BGLSA52kofJuA/size/x.jpg' alt='before sunset' width='500'/></a></div><br/><div><small><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/before_sunset/set?.embedder=2590623&.mid=embed&id=33248125'>before sunset</a> by <a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/profile?.embedder=2590623&.mid=embed&id=2590623'>bicyclefortwo</a> featuring <a href='http://www.polyvore.com/floor_length_skirts/shop?query=floor+length+skirts'>floor length skirts</a></small></div><small><div style='padding-top:16px'><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2590623&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=34091221' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://cf1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/34091221.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2590623&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=34091221' rel='nofollow'>TopShop floor length skirt</a><br/>$70 - topshop.com<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2590623&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=32470141' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://cf1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/32470141.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2590623&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=32470141' rel='nofollow'>J crew swimwear</a><br/>$44 - jcrew.com<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2590623&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=34108542' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://cf2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/34108542.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2590623&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=34108542' rel='nofollow'>Madewell wood sandals</a><br/>$188 - madewell.com<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2590623&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=34108714' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://cf1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/34108714.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2590623&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=34108714' rel='nofollow'>Madewell handcrafted handbag</a><br/>$58 - madewell.com<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2590623&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=36614369' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://cf1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/36614369.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2590623&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=36614369' rel='nofollow'>Fish hook jewelry</a><br/>$55 - shopnastygal.com<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2590623&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=28063979' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://cf1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/28063979.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2590623&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=28063979' rel='nofollow'>Ray-Ban wayfarer shades</a><br/>$129 - urbanoutfitters.com<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p></div></small></div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15152066434731918003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809628968827590340.post-52831242259489825042010-08-25T11:36:00.004-05:002010-08-25T11:58:27.093-05:00tap those toes<object width="500" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/G6EVu_RY4uQ?fs=1&hl=en_US&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/G6EVu_RY4uQ?fs=1&hl=en_US&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="500" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NKGfQCOyCCA?fs=1&hl=en_US&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NKGfQCOyCCA?fs=1&hl=en_US&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object><br /><br />Feeling isolated from others is never easy. That's why, when I'm under the weather, I turn to music. The past few weeks of my life have been filled with what once felt like never ending drama. Somehow, I've hardly let it affect me because of songs like this from Discovery and Ra Ra Riot. One clip of Wes Miles's voice and my toes instantly start tapping. How can you be unhappy when your toes are tapping?Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15152066434731918003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809628968827590340.post-74305569429247089572010-08-15T14:18:00.001-05:002010-08-15T14:18:06.359-05:00changing lanes<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bicyclefortwo/3345578183/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3624/3345578183_09437bcc7a.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bicyclefortwo/3345578183/"></a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/bicyclefortwo/">bicycle for two</a>.</span></div><p>My mom and dad love to tell stories about me as a child. Seriously. I've lost count of the number of times they've told complete strangers the story about me wearing a shower cap for the entire day while we were sightseeing in Springfield. I must have been 7 years old at the time but I proudly wore that hotel shower cap for hours. They love using this as an example of my fearlessness. <br /><br />Then there's the story about my younger sister learning how to ride a bicycle. We're about 16 months apart, but I've always treated her as though she's the same age. That explains why I took her training wheels off of her new bike when she was only 4 years old. All by myself. This would be an example of how I can't stand waiting for other people to do things. I take care of them myself, because... well, why not?<br /><br />Yesterday, my mom told me that she's been sharing another story with her coworkers and friends. This one was about the time I potty trained myself. She had ordered a brand new pink seat with Minnie Mouse on it. I can vividly remember it to this day. My oh my, how I loved that thing. I spotted the package as soon as the UPS man dropped it on the front porch. I went to her to see what could be in this huge box. She explained that I would be using it from now on instead of a diaper. Somehow this made total sense to me. Only a few moments after she said this, I pulled it out of the box and used it. From that day on, I quit diapers cold turkey. She loves using this one to show people, even me, how independent and no nonsense I am. <br /><br />I've always tackled change, obstacles, and experiences with a fearless, independent, and confident attitude. Somewhere along the shifty, shaky road I've forgotten how to do this. Even when I have no other choice but to swerve or turn down a completely new street, I greet change with an unwelcoming sneer. Now, I'm working on developing that childlike calm as I, once again, change lanes.</p>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15152066434731918003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809628968827590340.post-89147701418120947422010-07-19T16:01:00.002-05:002010-07-19T16:02:16.180-05:00fog city vs. the windy city<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bicyclefortwo/2911513270/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3023/2911513270_241f9b2e1b.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bicyclefortwo/2911513270/"></a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/bicyclefortwo/">bicycle for two</a>.</span></div><p>Technically, the temperature in Chicago is around 86, but the overcast skies and cooler temperatures near the lake front remind me of San Francisco. Right now, nothing sounds better than a bowl of warm tomato soup and a huge chunk of fresh San Francisco sourdough.</p>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15152066434731918003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809628968827590340.post-21204790185574385852010-07-16T11:16:00.001-05:002010-07-16T11:16:08.616-05:00this town could use a few more mountains<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bicyclefortwo/2906994521/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/2906994521_d18ec8dfc4.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bicyclefortwo/2906994521/"></a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/bicyclefortwo/">bicycle for two</a>.</span></div><p>The past week has been as uneven as the Sierras. Yet, for some reason, I'm almost positive that escaping the boring, flat landscape of Chicago would balance everything out. Right now, nothing sounds more satisfying than sitting on top of a mountain, eating trail mix, and just breathing.</p>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15152066434731918003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809628968827590340.post-21138565282284776272010-06-15T10:12:00.014-05:002010-07-16T11:17:03.509-05:00bringing nature insideThere's something about the way the trees smell in the Pacific Northwest. The salt induced moisture in the air is intoxicating and refreshing. Every time I'm lucky enough to spend a day in Golden Gate Park I leave feeling as though I've just finished a cleanse. I wish I could bottle that scent and bring it back to Chicago with me. Imagine waking up in Golden Gate Park every morning.* Ahhh!<br /><br />In my attempt to achieve the fresh outdoorsy atmosphere, I bought a few of my absolute favorite <a href="http://www.aspenbaycandles.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=47_306">candles</a> <span style="font-style: italic;">ever</span>. Honestly, it's not a perfect match. Yet. Right now I only have <a href="http://www.aspenbaycandles.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=47_306&products_id=832">volcano</a> which smells like, "tropical fruits, sugared oranges, lemons, and limes, redolent with lightly exotic mountain greens," but after looking at the manufacturer's website, I realized I<span style="font-style: italic;"> have</span> to get more.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bzyIEU9WRN8/TBjlPQfCBLI/AAAAAAAAAH0/9-HdSxkOrmo/s1600/candle.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bzyIEU9WRN8/TBjlPQfCBLI/AAAAAAAAAH0/9-HdSxkOrmo/s400/candle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483384596609500338" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bzyIEU9WRN8/TBfglxpfSiI/AAAAAAAAAHs/DzO_5NclJ9U/s1600/capri+blue.jpg"><br /></a><br />I <span style="font-style: italic;">need</span> Havana, "a warm earthy scent combining the richness of cedar wood, cedar moss, and lavendar sage" and <a href="http://www.aspenbaycandles.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=47_306&products_id=833">wind</a> which smells like, "exotic mixed floral with a light lift of spring rain and wind, with light tones of woods and spice."<br /><br />Everyone should have at least one of these!<br /><br />*Well, I don't <span style="font-style: italic;">really</span> want to <span style="font-style: italic;">live</span> in the park (I feel sorry for people who have to) but I want my <span style="font-style: italic;">home</span> to <span style="font-style: italic;">smell</span> like it.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15152066434731918003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809628968827590340.post-52154608991322352962010-06-14T16:32:00.010-05:002010-06-15T08:55:45.862-05:00there's no place like berlin<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bzyIEU9WRN8/TBarEmtagmI/AAAAAAAAAHE/yuvnOmKUkVE/s1600/nightberlin.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bzyIEU9WRN8/TBarEmtagmI/AAAAAAAAAHE/yuvnOmKUkVE/s400/nightberlin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482757691969012322" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Living in <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bicyclefortwo/sets/72157615094332074/">Berlin</a> was the single most inspiring and life changing event I've ever experienced. As a 19 year old who had never been anywhere outside of the U.S., I started my trip with wide eyes and a pocketful of naivete. I ignored the fact that I had never traveled anywhere by myself, let alone a city 4400 miles away from home. All I knew was that I could not only survive but thrive on my own in a foreign country without familiar people or places.<br /><br />As soon as I landed at Tegel Airport, I realized I had no idea where I was going. STA Travel, the travel company I reserved my language courses, flight, and apartment with, scheduled a driver to pick me up from the airport and take me to my new place. Yet, after waiting 45 minutes for a tall, dark, and handsome man driving a van to find me, I realized he wasn't coming. No one was. Talk about a reality check. In the end, I ended up paying over 100 euros for a bus and s-bahn ticket to Friedrichshain, but it was worth it.<br /><br />The fourth floor walk up I shared with a thirty-something fire thrower named Eva felt like home after only two nights of sleeping on the frame-less mattress in the middle of my lofted bedroom. Every day was spent in morning language classes, wandering the city, eating currywurst from a street vendor, then meeting friends for hefeweizen. If it was a great night it usually ended with a doner kebab.<br /><br />In memory of my time living in the fourth floor walk up I want to share a<a href="http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=377335"> recipe</a> I found for vegan currywurst. Believe me, there's nothing in the world like Berlin street food!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Curryvurst</span></span><br />Adapted from Sparkpeople<br />Makes 2 servings<br /><br />4 Veggie hotdogs*<br />1/4 cup organic ketchup<br />1 tbsp curry powder<br />1/4 tsp paprika<br />1/4 tsp cinnamon<br /><br />-Boil 4 cups of water in a medium pot. Once water is boiling, turn off heat and place veggie dogs in water. Let sit for 3 minutes with pot covered.<br /><br />-Combine ketchup and spices in a small bowl and set aside.<br /><br />-Once hot dogs are finished, cut into bite sized pieces. Combine with curry mixture.<br /><br /><br />*Smart Dogs from Lightlife taste the best.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15152066434731918003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809628968827590340.post-59936700092802461392010-06-14T13:22:00.014-05:002010-07-16T11:34:18.559-05:00iced coffee<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bzyIEU9WRN8/TECKBOzT7wI/AAAAAAAAAMs/34n_3K3cwLw/s1600/emptyicedcoffee.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bzyIEU9WRN8/TECKBOzT7wI/AAAAAAAAAMs/34n_3K3cwLw/s400/emptyicedcoffee.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494543299149819650" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">When I was a little girl, my mom used to give my younger sister and I special sippy cups every morning before we watched our cartoons. I always drank orange juice from a blue cup. My sister always drank coffee from a red cup. One day, I mistakenly picked up the red cup and took a sip. The taste that followed was the most terrible thing I'd ever experienced. I couldn't even swallow it. The thick, smoky flavor of the coffee beans left me feeling sick. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">It never occurred to me that a six year old should not be drinking coffee. In fact, it wasn't until about six months ago when I was telling a girlfriend this story that I realized just how </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">ridiculous</span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">it was that my sister has been drinking coffee since she was six years old. It's easy to understand why she has so much distaste for orange juice, as do I for coffee. Or should I say I </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">did</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Up until a year ago, I couldn't stomach anything but tea, save for a flavored latte here and there. </span><a style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);" href="http://www.bluebottlecoffee.net/">Blue Bottle Coffee</a><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> in San Francisco changed all of that. My boyfriend Russell used to live in San Francisco. While I was visiting him last year for the 4th of July, he took me to Blue Bottle on Mint St. It only took one sip and I was hooked. Now, we try to keep a pound of Blue Bottle in the house at all times. </span><a style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);" href="http://www.bluebottlecoffee.net/Detail.bok?no=5">Three Africans</a><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> is one of my favorites.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">You can imagine how excited I was to find a </span><a style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/06/style/tmagazine/06ticed.html">recipe</a><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> for New Orleans style coffee using Blue Bottle coffee in the New York Times archives. I also found a great variation of this recipe on one of my favorite blogs </span><a style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);" href="http://bigbangstudio.blogspot.com/2010/05/iced-coffee-norleans-style.html">bigBang studio</a><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Nawleans Iced Coffee</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Adapted from New York Times</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Makes 4 cups coffee concentrate</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">1/2 pound Three Africans, medium ground</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">5 cups cold filtered water</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Ice</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Almond milk*</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">-Put ground coffee in large french press. Add 5 cups of boiling water and let steep for 30 minutes.</span><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">-Very slowly push down "press" making sure not to allow any grounds to escape up the sides of the pot. Allow coffee to cool completely.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">-Fill a large glass or mug with ice and add 1/2 cup almond milk.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">-Add coffee. Pour enough to fill the remainder of the cup. </p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Since I'm not always in the mood for coffee, I usually make my coffee on a cup by cup basis, but making a large pot and mixing it with a generous amount of almond milk would be a great idea. The NYT says it will keep in the fridge for about 2 weeks.</p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">*You can use any kind of milk. Almond milk just happens to be my favorite.</span><br /></p>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15152066434731918003noreply@blogger.com0