Birthday Debauchery

I just recovered from my birthday celebrations. Thursday was family day, which included an Indian feast. Friday was friends day, which meant dinner at The Cork Bar with my girls, followed by a good time at Casey's Irish Pub. I was so excited to see all my friends, especially peeps from UCLA - it had been way too long. I might have had a little too much fun because I didn't emerge from my bed until far too late on Saturday and it was really only to nourish my ailing body with Greek food and Hunger Games with my dad and bro. Today, I've been "memo writing" and getting ready for the week. Here are some pics from Friday for your entertainment:

NY Times Reading for Wednesday

Source: weheartit.com via Silvia on Pinterest

It's been too long since I've sat down and paged through the NY Times.

Some interesting reading:

Before Wolves May Be Hunted, Science, Faith and Politics Clash

AND the follow-up:
Appeals Court Allows Wolf Hunts

Ugandan Gay Rights Group Sues American Evangelist

Detention for Immigrants That Looks Less Like Prison

Brushing up on some sports:

D’Antoni Resigns as Knicks’ Coach

And something super-adorbz:
Why Does the Penguin Get the Aisle Seat?:
In a YouTube video, a passenger on a recent Delta flight captured two unlikely seatmates in first class: a couple of penguins from Sea World.

Domestic Goddess: Kale-Butternut Squash Salad + Lavender Lemon Cake

In effort to avoid law school, yesterday was a day of relaxation and creativity. I did Bikram in the morning with Kat followed by iced mate and earl grey tea. Then I came home, did some laundry, went to Lowe's to pick up some lavender and potting soil (for my mom.) And then embarked on some new recipes I've been wanting to try.

Last night's menu:

Roasted Butternut Squash with Wilted Kale Salad
Spicy Pork Ribs (my own recipe - see below)
Lavender Lemon Cake (my own recipe - see below)

So, not going to lie, I was impressed with myself. I love cooking and baking, but sometimes I get a little rushed bc I'm so type A and things don't turn out to my standards. However, last night was a win.

Today, I went to yoga, had a wonderful brunch with Kat (my mom made us a spinach goat cheese egg souffle) and I've been doing a little reading here and there :-)

Pork Ribs "Recipe" - there isn't really a recipe, I lied. Generally, buy pork ribs. Salt and pepper them, wrap in tin foil, and roast at 250 for an hour and a half. Then baste with a sauce - I improvised a jamaican jerk recipe. And bake at 400 for another half an hour. Yum.

Lavender Lemon Cake:

I bought my lavender plants yesterday and was eager to use it. So I looked up a few lavender recipes and crafted this one from my mom's poundcake recipe.

• 1 1/4 cup flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 8 sprigs fresh lavender buds (just the flower bits and remove them from the stem)
• 2/3 cups milk
• whipping cream
• For glaze: juice of one lemon and a few tablespoons of confectioner's sugar.

I blended the lavender, lemon zest and juice, vanilla, and sugar first, so it was a smooth sort of paste. Then I sifted the dry ingredients, add the milk and eggs, and stirred in the paste. I poured the batter in a loaf pan. Baked at 350 for about 50 mins.

While that was going on, I juiced half a lemon and added that and confectioner's sugar to the blender I had processed the lavender in. Mixed it all up and created a glaze, which I then drizzled over the cooled cake.

Top with fresh whipped cream. Perfect with tea this afternoon and even my brother liked it.

Pretty Clothes

Perusing lady-like fashions for my summer internship :-)

1. Pretty Penny's new line via Wit + Delight

2. Shoes to drool over via Ill Seen, Ill Said

3. Marion and Lindie Autumn/Winter 2012 via Lanalou

4. Junkaholique's new Opaque Rings

5. Current/Elliot Spring 2012 via CaliVintage

Baking Bits

Last week, I made Espresso Triple Chocolate Brownies with a Nutella Buttercream Frosting for my Sunday Library-Goers as a little encouragement for our torts midterm. So now I'm back on a baking kick :-)

Strawberries + Cream Pie via Spoon Fork Bacon

Blue Moon Cupcakes via Spoon Fork Bacon

Chocolate Chess Pie Pops from my friend Carrie at South by San Francisco

Earl Grey Chocolate Cake by Shutterbean

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles by Brunch at Saks

{Music} Indie-Folk: Bird Courage, Beach House, Alexi Murdoch

I've been all over the place. I'll update later, but I'm off to Bikram!

Here are some saving graces: