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"A table, a chair, a bowl of fruit and a violin; what else does a man need to be happy?" -Albert Einstein

 
 
 

Folks, it goes without saying that it has been a tough week around the nation. (Just a reminder, here are ways to help both Boston and West.) When things in the world are sad and gloomy, I sometimes escape to my Instagram and remind myself of all the very very small things that can bring some cheer. Albeit some of the items  are trivial but it's about appreciating these small things that have unexpectedly turned that space for me (and others) into a little happy journal. What little things are making you happy today? Here's mine:

1. Spring inspired ombre cakes in the Society Bakery window. Spotted them when I was picking up these guys.
2. Triangles have always been my favorite polygon so I was excited when I found this necklace at Francesca's.
3. Celebrating Earth Day a little early with my first terrarium. I don't have the best track record with succulents but hopefully this time we have a winner. Learn how to make your own terrarium here and here.
4.  Did you know the grapefruit was first described in 1750 as the "forbidden fruit"? In Texas, it is peak forbidden fruit season so, it's fitting that my favorite beverage is  Trader Joe's refreshing Rio Red Grapefruit juice. (Striped paper straws are from Paper Source)
5. After months of remodeling, we finally have a functional kitchen. There are still some updates to be made, but I'm pretty happy with the results so far. If you're interested in the materials and what the "before" looked like (can we say hello 1998?), it will all be in an upcoming post.
6. Having a functional kitchen means being able to eat something that didn't come out of a microwave (that's been in my living room!) or a takeout box. Finally fired up the stove to make some Thai veggie green curry (similar recipe here).

image source: @pinkrickshaw

-SD

the well dressed man

And as long as I've got my suit and tie
I'mma leave it on the floor tonight
And you got fixed up to the nines
Let me show you a few things
-Suit and Tie, Justin Timberlake

 

I do not keep up with men's fashion as much as I should but I was intrigued to read this article in the New York Times  blog last month about the rise of the well dressed man. "Designer fashion is no longer just for gay men and Europeans. Welcome to the age of sartorial enlightenment, in which the average male has shed schlumpiness for style," writes Guy Trebay. He goes on to say, "Thus the frumpy Dockers and the men’s version of mom jeans and the oversize shirts billowing like jibs have been bagged up and shipped to Goodwill. Even dot-com geeks have slowly begun moving away from the hoodies and sneakers, knit-hat-and-sweatshirt Smurf look. In Silicon Valley these days, the stealth signifier of status is that throwback to the glory days of haberdashery: brightly patterned socks."

I have to say I agree.  Observing friends and even a few minutes of people watching around the city and you'll see your average dude has embraced designer duds and a reasonable fit for his clothes. Hopefully gone are the days where being a manly man meant not caring about your garments. Here are a few chic (but classic) picks to add to any well dressed lad's closet.

Go custom
Most men are quickly learning how key design and fit are to looking debonair. That probably contributes to the popularity of men's online custom clothing stores. Some of the best sites are Blank Label, Proper Cloth and Indochino (Indochino's checkered shirt is pictured above). Most of the sites have shirts in the $100-$200 range and the process is fairly easy (usually there are simple instructions on how to take your measurement or you have the option to  just use your known dress shirt size) with numerous combinations for fabric, collar and cuff style and fit.

Murse
Step one in achieving well dressed status is ditching that company issued laptop bag. Replace it instead with something classic (and not too flashy) like this J.Crew Billykirk Schoolboy Satchel.

bites: bread pudding whoopie pies

"If you do your fair day's work, you are certain to get your fair day's wage, in praise or pudding, whatever happens to suit your taste."-Alexander Smith

Sometimes when life is moving fast, you just crave something traditional, simple and comforting. For me, that is some good old fashioned bread pudding for dessert. Historically, bread pudding has very humble beginnings as a simple way to utilize stale bread but over the years has evolved into many gourmet variations. (Most of you know bread pudding as a well-known Southern dessert but forms of it are also popular in Latin, German and British cuisine.) One of the most delightful and creative takes on bread pudding has to be Dallas' Society Bakery's bread pudding whoopie pies. It's a modern (and cute) update to a traditional favorite and the best part is that it is perfectly packaged for comfort on-the-go.
 
Society Bakery 's cake is moist and flavorful and the perfect complement to their rum and vanilla bean filling. As far as  I know , the handheld dessert is unique to the Dallas bakery but if you are not in the area, do not despair. Here is a similar recipe inspired by the treat for your bread pudding fix.

image source: SD

-SD