FAT BOY at inside design

Last week in the newsletter for inside design, I wrote about the Fat Angel that Marque Ann has in the store....then Thursday afternoon she breezes into the store with FAT BOY. What is FAT BOY?

It's that picture you see.

It is by Russian artist Tatyana Gorshunova...don't even ask me to pronounce her name..I could barely spell it. She lives in Ulyanovsk, Russia.

Tatyana graduated from the Repin Institute of St.Petersburg Art Academy. Her art is shown in The Russian Ministry of Culture, Russian Union of Artists,
and the Uljanovsk State Museum of Fine Arts.

You can also find her work in galleries and private collections in Russia, France, Germany, Holland, England, Sweden, Ireland, Canada, Greece, Korea, Scotland, Kuwait and now the USA.

The best part is you can come to Le Boulevard Marketplace and save all that money you would
spend on airfare to Russia to experience FAT BOY.

We went to lunch and starting talking about FAT BOY and we started to laugh...then we laughed even more and finally we got out of control because it's just plain fun to say the words "FAT BOY".

Everybody needs some FAT BOY in their life. Can't you see it now...I feel like a FAT BOY today or I need my FAT BOY to make it through the day...or Gimme some of that FAT BOY to go with sugar and cream....the possibilities are endless.

Now, you know how Marque Ann and I think.....crazy chicks on FAT BOY.

Belly Dancing For all My Friends

The other day, I got an email from my friend Natalie. She sent this email that included these images. You are supposed to look at the images and figure out what the name of the image should be.

Well, I thought this was so clever. Why didn't I think of this myself? I am going to give you the names of the images at the end of this post, so guess away. The first image could be Marque Ann and I learning how to belly dance.....





First image: Tap Dancing
Second Image: Egg Plant
Third Image: King of Pop
Fourth Image: Whole Milk

Delicious Snacks for the Road ~ Oatmeal Power Cookies

Delicious Snacks for the Road ~ Oatmeal Power Cookies

Each month I get a newsletter from The Chopra Center and this cookie caught my eye. It is a perfect snack when you are traveling this summer. I thought I would share the recipe with you.

Filled with nuts, dried fruits, and spices, oatmeal power cookies make an ideal snack for travelers. They are easy to pack, and the combination of protein and complex carbohydrates will give you a steady source of energy on your travels.

Makes 24 cookies

Ingredients

1 cup whole wheat flour or spelt flour
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup chopped dried fruit or fresh apples
1 cup raisins or currants
1 cup coconut flakes
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon allspice
½ cup mango purée
¼ cup turbinado sugar
½ cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Oil a cookie sheet and set aside. In a mixing bowl, place the flour, oats, fruit, raisins, coconut, baking soda, cinnamon, and allspice. Combine with a wire whisk. In a separate bowl, whisk together the mango purée, sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla.

Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix well using your bare hands or a spatula. Using a 1-ounce scoop (about ¼ cup), place the cookies on the oiled baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Nutritional Facts per Cookie:
Calories 145, Total fat 1.5 g, Saturated fat 1 g, Carbohydrates 30.9 g, Protein 2 g


If you want more information check out The Chopra newsletter.

National Donut Day

Today is National Doughnut Day. The National Doughnut Day is celebrated throughout America on the first Friday of the month of June every year.

Yep, that means its today.

Throughout American history, ever since doughnuts were first invented, it has been the “quintessential working man’s snack.” The blend of starch, sugar and fat that goes in the making of a simple doughnut has captivated the mouths and stomachs of many not only in America but throughout the world.

Today, several doughnut franchises are handing out free doughnut treats in celebration to the National Doughnut Day.

Kripsy Kreme will be offering a free doughnut to every customer, 24 hours of the National Doughnut Day.

Dunkin Donuts, one of the oldest manufacturers of doughnuts will also be handing out their free share of Doughnuts on purchase of every drink, to celebrate the Doughnut day.

Plus, on this day all calories are forgiven....You have to celebrate.

And, finally take one for your Police friends

The Cadillac of Picnic Sets

It's Summertime in New Orleans. That means its hot and humid. How about a picnic? Oh you want to stay indoors? Well, you can still have a picnic, just spread out the blanket inside and enjoy.

I found the Cadillac of Picnic sets. Those melamine plates are the cutest...style with a capital S. It includes everything you'd ever need while enjoying cuisine at the park - four plates, four cups, utensils, cutting board, wine key, salt and pepper shakers, and a backpack that holds it all including a bottle of wine and a large insulated compartment in the back. There is even a blanket.

Now you can style when you picnic in Audubon Park.

Flourpot Cookies--Yummy Yummy Inspiration

Some how along the way I discovered The Flourpot Cookies Company. I am sure it was late one night when I was surfing the web looking for something new and wonderful. And BOOM, here is this website with all these amazing looking cookies.

The company was started by a mother daughter team.... Margie is the Mom and Abbey is the daughter. Margie and Abbey make their cookie creations in Ambler Pennsylvania.
Right above the Father's Day cookies is a picture of their cookbook. The second cookbook will be out sometime later this year. When it does, I will blog about it.... and maybe I can get a copy and put it in the store...or better yet Margie and Abbey can come down and do a book signing in New Orleans. How fun would that be?

When you log on to their site, here is what they say about their book: THE FLOUR POT COOKIE BOOK will..... Featuring the Greenbergs’ chief cookie dough and royal icing recipes, the book comes with easy-to-follow instructions on creating cookie masterpieces... For extra ease, the book is divided into themes like Garden Party, At the Beach, and Seasonal Delights with cookie designs to match.


Here are the perfect crowns for all the Queens in your life.


And look at these Save The Date Cookies, How clever!



And instead of taking a bottle of wine...why not take these Martini Cookies and you can still drive home.
So, if you need some design inspiration go to Flourpot Cookies and rediscover your inner child.

One nice thing about being a child is you hadn't discovered calories yet...so all the calories in the Flourpot Cookies will not exist.....Now that is what I call my inner THIN CHILD

"Together", a 10 CD Collection

My friend Kellie gave me this 10 CD Collection called Together. It is a beautiful book with pockets in the book for the 10 CDs. The book starts out with compelling and gorgeous pictures done by the M.I.L.K.

When I first read about Milk, I was clueless in New Orleans. I googled and here is what MILK is.

The M.I.L.K. Collection portrays unforgettable images of human life, from its first fragile moments to its last. They tell us that the rich bond that exists between families and friends is universal. Representing many diverse cultures, the compelling and powerful photographs convey feelings experienced by people around the globe. Transcending borders, the M.I.L.K. imagery reaches across continents to celebrate and reveal the heart of humanity. I took straight it off the website.

Pretty heady stuff...don't you think?, but what do the letters MILK stand for?


Moments of Intimacy, Laughter and Kinship (M.I.L.K.). Hey, I am all about laughter.