Mini Garden Gnome

This little guy hangs out in my one-pot herb garden. I got him at Target for only four bucks. I was so amused by how these little garden gnomes existed for people like me who want to pretend they have a real garden even if it is one that is tiny and indoors.

My garden has changed a lot since Nick and I first planted it back in April. We ended up transplanting the basil to a separate pot because it needed different watering conditions from everything else it was sharing soil with. The lettuce was growing like weeds at first but quickly withered and the oregano seems to have been crowded out by the thyme. We added mint to the mix though, after not having luck with some of the other plants, and that has been growing like crazy. Lifestyle Tip: If you aren't very good with plants but you want to try growing something you can eat, start out with mint because it will be the most encouraging.

What other herbs are easygoing and worth trying to grow indoors at home?

| Photo Credit: Me. |

Tut-Tut, It Looks Like Summer Rain

We had some random rainy weather here in San Francisco, just when I thought summer was on its way. I think this is pretty lame because I love sunny skies. Some people argue that summer is actually the coldest part of the year here in San Francisco because of the heavy fog that we get in the mornings and evenings, but I happen to live in the Potrero Hill neighborhood, where it is always sunnier than the rest of the city. Lifestyle Tip: If you're thinking of moving to San Francisco but are concerned about the cold and fog, move to the Potrero/Dogpatch area where it always feels about 10 degrees warmer than Golden Gate Park on the other side of town.

While lamenting about how gloomy it was outside, I came across this print by photographer Sarah Illenberger. It's called "Meloncholie" and I think it is the best way to picture summer rain.
If you, too, are feeling meloncholy about the summer rain, here are some cute and summery rain-themed things to help charm the clouds away.

| 1. Kate Spade, Kate Spade Umbrella | 2. Blanca Gómez, Monsieur I Print | 3. Zakka Nouveau, London Fog Tea Towel | 4. Joules, Millie Wellies |

| Photo Credit: See links provided. |

Lifestyle Tip: Mental Attitudes for Long Commutes

One of my delightful readers sent me an email with a question regarding the yuppie lifestyle. If you have any questions or are looking for lifestyle tips, please drop me a note at theyuppielifestyle@gmail.com.

How does the new yuppie deal with a commute? Is there a special mental attitude or tools one can use to cope? |Signed| Aspiring Yuppie With a Grueling Commute
A frustrating commute can certainly affect quality of life. Before I moved to San Francisco, I commuted on a daily basis between Millbrae and Palo Alto. While that commute was relatively manageable, I very badly wanted to live in SF, and doing so would add an additional 20 minutes (on a decent day) to my commute. So, I negotiated with my boss to be able to work from home as often as possible. I know this isn't a possibility for everyone, but this day in age where so many different kinds of jobs can be done remotely, if most of your job consists of you working at a computer anyway it may be worth a shot. (Nick works in an industry that is wholly different from mine, yet he and many of his colleagues have days where they telecommute, too.) Perhaps you can convince your boss to give it a try for a month or so, adding to your argument the advantages of reducing your carbon footprint. During your trial period, make sure you crank up the volume on your email alert sound and respond to your work emails as efficiently as possible to prove you are still easily accessible and on-task at a distance.

If working remotely even one or two days per week is not an option, having the right mental attitude is key. Think of it as a chance to kill two birds with one stone. Bluetooth integration or a hands-free device so you can catch up with old friends over the phone while you are on the road is a good way of making the most of your time. Lately, I have been using my time on the road to learn some French phrases in preparation for my trip to France; I borrowed a language CD from my local public library and put all the MP3s on my iPod. I also am that person you may see totally rocking out to some music (this song) at the wheel. Focusing on staying Zen, instead of on traffic jams, might give you opportunity to brainstorm some good ideas for couplets or meals you want to try preparing.

Oh, and coffee also helps.

| Art Credit: Keep Calm Shop |

Recipe: Bacon and Spinach Quiche Mini Muffins

I got the concept for using pancake mix and eggs to make quiche-inspired muffins from a recipe I found online two laptops ago. Over the years, I have been experimenting with various fillings and using the recipe to bail myself out of last-minute potluck-contributing situations. I think this is the best version, but you can substitute the bacon and spinach with other quiche fillings if you'd like.

Ingredients
1/2 medium onion
2 strips of applewood-smoked bacon
2 eggs
1/2 cup pancake mix
1 small handful of baby spinach leaves
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar
nonstick spray
olive oil

Directions
Preheat your oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Using a nonstick cooking spray, grease a mini muffin pan well (otherwise these will definitely stick and make for a very difficult-to-clean pan).

Finely dice the onion and chop up the slices of bacon. Heat a small skillet on medium-high heat and add a few drops of olive oil. Add the onions and sauté just until they begin to soften on the edges. Add the bacon and sauté until the bacon is cooked and the onions are translucent. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the onions and bacon to cool.

In a medium bowl, beat the eggs. Add the onions and bacon and mix to combine evenly. (Lifestyle tip: Save the bacon fat to use as a secret ingredient in guacamole.) Stir in the pancake mix. Roughly chop the spinach and add it to the bowl. Add almost all of the shredded cheese, reserving about 1 tablespoon for later. Mix the ingredients until everything is evenly combined.

Spoon the mixture evenly into the muffin cups. Top each with just a little pinch of the remaining cheese. Bake them for 10 minutes, and allow the muffins to cool before removing them from the pan with a butter knife.

Makes 12 mini muffins.

| Photo Credit: Me. |

Lifestyle Tip: What to Do If Transparency Leads to CMYK in InDesign

This isn't in any way a techy and/or crunchy blog but a couple days ago I discovered a solution to a big InDesign conundrum and figured I would share it. Plus I am also trying a new thing here where I do a better job of using the post titles to describe what the post is about.

A few months ago I was collaborating with a friend of mine who is a designer. He was putting together a nifty branding guide in InDesign, but we realized that every time he used a transparency effect, all his RGB colors turned to dull-as-doldrums CMYK. I've made this little graphic to illustrate the difference. The same color swatches are displayed in the CMYK color space on the left and the RGB color space on the right.I ran into the same issue last week on a separate project, and a quick Google led me to this where I was able to pick out the solution. If all your RGB things turn to CYMK when you're using transparency in an InDesign document, do the following:
1. Go to Edit.
2. Go down to Transparency Blend Space.
3. Select Document RGB.
Your colors should be back to their bright and shiny RGB goodness.

Recipe: Ginger Spice Cookies

I made these cookies for dessert when we had some friends over for lunch on Sunday. It was storming the night before so I was in the mood for some holiday-ish flavors. I served chicken-apple sausage pigs-in-a-blanket, butternut squash and kale lasagna, and then these cookies that are loaded with ginger and spice. I used a recipe from the December 2009 issue of Bon Appétit as a guide and then improvised out of laziness.

Ingredients
6 tablespoons room temperature salted butter
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/3 cup uncrystallized candied ginger
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 pinch salt
1/4 cup golden brown sugar
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 nubs freshly peeled ginger
1/6 cup wildflower amber honey or whatever honey you have
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
small bowl of unrefined cane sugar

Directions
First of all, a lifestyle tip: letting your butter get to room temperature rather than sticking it in the microwave will make a huge difference in the shape and texture of your cookies. So measure out your butter, leave it in a large bowl, and let it get to room temperature.

While you are waiting, you can line your baking tray with parchment paper, place your oven rack in the middle, and preheat your oven to 350° Fahrenheit. You can also cut your candied ginger (I get mine from Trader Joe's) into pieces about the size of chocolate chips and finely grate your fresh ginger. In a bowl, alternate adding your flour and your candied ginger so that the candied ginger doesn't clump together. Add the baking soda and the salt (use 2 pinches if your butter is unsalted). Stir to combine.

When your butter is ready, whisk it until it has a creamy texture. Thoroughly whisk in both brown sugars. Crack your egg into a small bowl, beat it gently, and pour half into your wet ingredients. Add the vanilla, grated ginger, honey, cinnamon, and clove. Whisk thoroughly until creamy. Gently stir in the dry ingredients in two or three batches.

Roll some of the dough into a 1-inch ball. Dip it in the bowl of unrefined sugar and place it on the baking tray sugar-side-up. Repeat with the rest of the dough, spacing the balls 2 inches apart. Bake them for about 15 minutes, or until they are firm on the outside and the tops have that cracked, sparkly holiday cookie look.

Makes 20 cookies.

Ces bottes sont faites pour marcher.

One of the pluses of moving to a city that is often gray and drizzly is having an excuse to shop for boots. I couldn't decide whether I wanted the classic Hunter rain boots I have been eying for years, or something that screams my girly style, so I ordered all of these from Zappos to see what they'll look like in person. (Zappos + their easy return policy = best online retailer ever.) Opinions on which ones I should keep are welcomed in the comments.

|1. Hunter, Original | 2. & 3. Kate Spade, Randi | 4. Pikolinos, Turin |

Also, here is a fun video of people lipsyncing to Eileen's 1966 French cover of "These Boots Are Made for Walking".

Updated on 10|28|10:
Lifestyle Tip: If you are considering ordering some Hunter rainboots, be sure to size down. I usually wear a US 6.5. I tried on a size 37, which was indicated on the box to be a US size 6. The boots obviously have no zipper and after putting one on, I could wriggle my leg and foot out of it without actually touching the boot with my hands.

| Photo Credit: Zappos |