What Would Jane Austen Do?

I was walking into Spec's (world's greatest liquor store) on Saturday afternoon and there was a band playing outside on the patio. I stopped and listened for a while...and they were fantastic . There is nothing quite like live music, is there? Even though jazz isn't my thing, I loved them. But it seemed like an odd place for a gig; there were 16 musicians, plus a director--most were horns, plus a percussionist, a standing bass, and an electric guitar. It must have taken a while to set up. The only clue I had about who they were and what they were doing at Spec's was the name on the speakers: Conrad Johnson. WELL. It turns out that Conrad Johnson was the band director at Kashmere High School for many years. His band (of teenagers!) played original music he wrote; they had a recording contract and were sought-after all over town for parties. The Conrad Johnson Orchestra is a group of his former students who play semi-professionally now.   Their appearance at Sp...

Suddenly everyone in the house has gone crazy for Chessmen cookies and Lady Grey tea. Awfully civilized for this bunch of cretins.

Have any of you ever made salt cod--as in, cod baked in a salt dome? I have a ton of egg whites leftover from making ice cream*, and cod is on sale, so it seemed like a possibility. I was wondering how difficult it is; if it results in black smoke coming from the oven; and, most importantly, is it worth it? *So you wanna hear about that ice cream? 'Twas Pumpkin ice cream , and I thought it was delicious with gingersnaps.

I was the first one in line this morning. Most of it is going up on eBay, but holla at your girl if there is something you desperately want.

via Flubmaster Grand Flubby

Zara opened up their online shopping in the US today. [I wrote this down in my calendar weeks ago.] In the cart: Hello Kitty underpants (um, not for me, obvs.) a shiny puffer for the boy (Patago-who?) Emmet would hate this, but I'm dying over the silkscreened pocket protector . ponyskin flats Can anyone speak to the quality/ sizing of Zara shoes? I've never bought them before. A metallic clutch seems like a useful thing to have. This bag was in the September Martha . It looks gorgeous. And this chocolate suede number with convertible handles is pretty sweet, too. Yeah, that cart needs some editing...