Shamelessly, a list

saipua saltwater soap (received) + CDG tulle & silk jacket (coveted)

Holidays brought a new Teepee bracelet and a lucky 7 ring from Bittersweets NY, a bar of Saipua saltwater soap, a kettle to replace the one that regularly scalds us, a night at the slot machines, and a slim television that will constantly flicker with 1930s comedy of manners, 1960s New Wave, 1970s American independents, and Wayne's World.

Next time, gin.

Saipua + Unchanging Window

Dinner last night in Red Hook with Ladies, smart, sweet, and perfectly tart, Sarah, Amy, and Nea. Without knowing my desires, months ago I was given a bar of my most coveted Saipua saltwater soap, and without knowing my desires, last night's dinner was a balance of bitter and hot, tastes I love so, I cannot taste them enough.

To Saipua with Love.

I sadly don't know Sarah from Saipua in real life, but a post like this makes me think I do. Literature, ritual, dumplings by the beach! A girl after my own heart (except for the fact that she posted at 7:19 am- I'm getting better at mornings, but not that much better.)

A room with some lace and paper flowers

Read Sarah from Saipua's perfect guide to Valentine's Day flowers at design*sponge. Do it!

Ode to a small thing (not Teepee) vol. 4

After brunch and a visit to the P.S. 321 flea market, we braved Ikea. I secretly wanted to derail the mission and have brunch no. 2 at the soccer fields and then swing by Saipua and Erie Basin, but silent I stayed, and Ikea we did brave. Top of the list was this dish rack. While not particularly picturesque, it function makes me think it quite beautiful. Without any counter space in my kitchen, like most Brooklyn kitchens save the one we dined at last night, the space next to the sink is too sacred to waste on drying dishes.

A gift I got, A gift I give.

Teepee was given an American Apparel tee shirt, in which she resembles Stuart Little, and a new chew toy from her puppy relations. I received Fire From Heaven, my first scent from CB I Hate Perfume. To you I give (and I argue not belatedly as this gift is really for deep winter) the gift of soup, in the form of a recipe poached from Sarah of Saipua.

Another excellent carrot soup recipe:

5-6 big carrots, roughly chopped
2 onions roughly chopped

that in some olive oil and turn on the gas. while that starts to cook (and throw in some sea salt in the pot too) chop up: 4-5 cloves of garlic and a healthy knob of ginger, add to vegetables, drain a can of chickpeas and add

spices to add: cayenne, curry, coriander, cumin ( a few shakes of each )
then 1 can of coconut milk, and 1.5 cans worth of water.

cover and cook half hour or so on medium heat.

remove from heat, process about 1/3 of the soup in a blender or food processor and then mix the puree with the rest to get a nice stew consistency. NOW squeeze 1 whole lime (or lemon) in there. This is really the key to most soups. people always forget the acid. (SARAH'S RIGHT- THE LIME TRANSFORMS THE SOUP!!!)

Salt to taste. Now you have a really healthy stew that will make you sweat (if you spiced it up enough) which is what you need in this weather. to be warm on the insides