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am i that obvious? the look of books

i am completely and utterly obvious.  i’m still trying to figure out if i’m okay with that.

Coming back from lunch and a walk on the beach yesterday, I popped into B&N to browse a bit.  I don’t believe in love-at-first, you know, but I fell.  I fell hard.

Sitting on the corner of a random table with a ‘$25 and under gift’ sign were a few of the coveted Penguin Classics collection designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith, eight of which were just released here in the states.  I couldn’t quite remember exactly where I’d read about her and the beautiful editions.  (♥:design*sponge)   I just stood there for a few minutes, touching them.  And in my head, thankfully, I purred, “Mmmm, pretty.”

Penguin Classics designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith
Penguin Classics designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith

(images: Coralie Bickford-Smith’s site)

coralie classics 2

Then, on the way to the section I was supposed to be in, I saw an endcap that had me at H-H-Hello.  Oh, Melville House, what are you doing to me?

Melville House Publishing's Classic Novellas
Melville House Publishing's Classic Novellas
Melville House Publishing's Contemporary Novellas
Melville House Publishing's Contemporary Novellas

I guess the first two hurdles are behind us.  I noticed and now, I want.  The whole obtaining thing is going to be a challenge.  I’m going to play hard to get.  I said I was obvious, not easy.

Nikki♥

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things of such beauty | heath ceramics specials

i can’t help it.  i have to see what they’ve got on special.

I spend a lot of time on the Heath Ceramics site.  Planning mental dinner parties.  Working out color combinations.  Drooling over the gorgeously styled and photographed pieces.  They are well-crafted with such an interesting history.  I’m trying to figure out what’s next on the “Own, Please. Thx!” list.

I’m a bit overwhelmed by the collective recession depression.  I feel like I keep getting hit with this ‘frugalista’ stick/shtick.  Doesn’t costing little become relative when you have to keep replacing the cheap stuff?  I can find a bargain at the dollar store and I believe in paying for quality.

It’s time to take a step back and be a patientista. I’m allowing myself to dream and believe, instead of deny and deprive.  That and like Dessie said, “Save, save, save!”  I may not purchase when I pop in the store today or tomorrow, but a full cupboard of Heath Ceramics will be mine.

Heath Ceramics/Edward Wohl Cutting Board/Jonathan's Spoons Tongs & Wooden Servers
Heath Ceramics Bowls/Edward Wohl Cutting Board/Jonathan's Spoons Tongs & Wooden Servers

(image: heathceramics.com)

If you’ve got a little Heath Ceramics love in your heart, but not nearby, the online specials are a great way to get your feet wet.  If this dinner plate was opaque white, the 30% off would have me pulling out the debit card.

heath online specials, 11.15.09
heath online specials, 11.15.09

Don’t forget to check out the seasonal collection.  I’m so playing house with these.  Come home, Salad & Chez Panisse Cookbook.  It’s getting late.

Nikki♥

Heath Seasonal Collection w09/10
Heath Seasonal Collection w09/10
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torn: gabby and john on flashforward

there is a growing list of things that i’m torn about when it comes to FlashForward.

I like the show.  It has a really talented, diverse cast with an interesting premise, but…

I don’t know why I always fall asleep before it ends.
I’m distracted by the character(s)/actor(s) that rub me the un-fun way.  I’m not telling you who.
It seems to just sit in my Hulu queue until late at night.  wait, late at night? Okay. Hey, Sleepy. *waves*
I’m whining, not watching and it could get cancelled. Like soon.

The thing that really gets me, though, is that the images below shouldn’t make me happy.  Hello, they DO!

John Cho and Gabrielle Union play a couple.  A cute couple.  Getting married.  NO.BIG.DEAL.  Okay, he’s supposed to die in a few months, but that’s kinda off-topic.  Seeing people of color in loving relationships (with each other!) should be average, ordinary and everyday, but it isn’t.  I shouldn’t notice it, but I applaud it.  No one is compensating or trying to explain why they could be attracted to each other.  They just are.  And in this faux post-racial world we’re living in, this right here is a little goodness.

Nikki♥

♥Note: Out of respect for the writers, producers, cast and crew of FF, I just spent the last couple of hours watching everything I missed. (You gave me some Callum Keith Rennie, too. LuvU)

ABC's FlashForward
John Cho & Gabrielle Union on ABC's FlashForward
Picture 15
Cho & Union - More & Less on FlashForward
John Cho & Gabrielle Union - FlashForward
John Cho & Gabrielle Union - FlashForward
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for future reference: writing for medical dramas and procedurals

i was watching Three Rivers the other day.  they had a storyline where a patient waiting for a heart transplant, who all the doctors had come to care so much for, needed an LVAD.  ummmmm.

TV Writers:

Just letting you know, every time anyone mentions an LVAD on any medical drama from now until whenever, all thoughts go Grey.  Every single scene will have Izzy and Denny hanging out reading charts, playing jacks or practicing their jazz hands.  They’re going to be pulling attention from everything you do.  You might want to rethink it.  Or try an RVAD, instead.

It’s just a suggestion.

Nikki♥

*If you’re writing for Hugh Laurie, keep it moving.  There is nothing to see here.

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gone global: my kind of reality

i like a little competition.  i started my day with a heaping spoonful of Padma and Tyra.

While working on a post about ANTM (don’t judge me, yet) and its many cosmopolitan sisters, I got to wondering.  Where are my international editions of Top Chef?  I’m a Top Model, Project Runway, Top Chef kind of girl.  PR and NTM get me all kinds of global.  What’s going on with Top Chef?

TopChef-logo

I’m getting a little satiated.  It’s not any of the hosts or judges, either.  I really liked TC:Masters.  I’m kinda excited about the dessert show.  Seeing Stefan on the Reunion Dinner made me feel things, naughty things.  It’s just that as I’m learning about different parts of America and the intensely local cooking scenes where they film each season, I want to see that around the world.  I want to hear “pack up your knives and go” all cockney-ed out or en français or just, maybe, you know, something else.

Now, of course, technically, I’m not supposed to be able to watch PR:Canada or NZNTM.  If you think that ship hasn’t long sailed, well, then I’m Steve Jobs’ long lost daughter with some Apple stock to sell.  Make me happy.  Franchise the format to someone who can pay and do it justice and get on with it already. Thx.

Nikki ♥

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claudine is coming! claudine is coming!

i love Claudine.  i don’t own it because…? *scratches head*

I was watching Frost/Nixon last week.  It’s a thoroughly engaging movie, chock full of information and nuance about a tumultuous period in our history.  Yet, I was distracted and fascinated by a quick aside.  David Frost was engaged to Diahann Carroll in the early 70s.  Of course, I go from Wiki to Netflix in just a few clicks.  I need to see Claudine, ’cause it’s been ages.

Here’s a little piece of Diahann Carroll’s Oscar-nominated performance.  I have to wait until tomorrow for the full experience.  No mail today.

Nikki♥

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things handmade: the tote

tote. today. must begin.

Using the all-day tote pattern from Lotta Jansdotter’s Simple Sewing.

tote fabric small

Everything is washed and waiting to be pressed. Trying to decide which print to use for the lining.  The tie-dyed piece is already spoken for, but I just want to use it for everything.  Really, I do.

I have to keep telling myself that I stopped sewing, crocheting and making as a kid to be excited by it now.  If it frustrated me for a minute, I was on to one of the many things that I found much easier to do.  I’m back to making and getting frustrated, but working through it.  If it’s not perfect the first time or ever…ummm, so.

Nikki♥