Blog

34 - A list, of sorts

2012-04-26T17:42:44Z

I don't think I've ever seen 34 candles. Could I even blow out 34 candles in one breath? God I hope so, I'm not that old. Yet. I guess we'll find out how it goes in about a week.

You know, when my mom was 34, she already had a 13 year old me and my sister who was eight. She (successfully) ran her own art gallery and a household. My dad's company, which he started when I was born, was growing and on its way to become really, really huge. He was 38 at that point.

That's a lot to live up to!! This is also part of the reason why I freak out every time I have a birthday - it started when I turned 30 and it hasn't stopped. I know I'm putting pressure on myself and I have zero reasons to be so stressed out about this birthday. Really, I am happy. Very much so. While my accomplishments are no where close to being a rocket surgeon, it's my life and I'm quite pleased with it.

Every birthday freak-out I have then inspires me to take stock. I usually do it quietly in my head, but I think I'll share a few things this year because I need to send a clearer message to myself that I am not a failure. Please bear with me while I make this list of some "milestone-to-me" type things to remind myself that, while I may not be changing lives, my life has come a long way.

Went to college in a city I knew nothing about.
Graduated from college on time.
Moved away from home, halfway across the planet.
Landed a job in radio and marketing like I always wanted to.
Learned to drive.
Left the safety of a job I loved and was comfortable in for something new and intimidating. And failed.
Became a yoga teacher.
Planned weddings.
Became a homeowner.
Got laid off from a job I actually liked.
Learned that "dream jobs" can actually be jobs from hell.
Finally figured out what I like to do for a living.
Started my own business.
At the age of 31, started taking hip hop dance classes. Turns out, I'm not terrible.
Taught myself to make macarons.
I earn money writing blogs on topics I love.
I love my job and my clients are awesome!

No reason, absolutely no reason to even complain, let alone freak out. Yet, here we are. Last year I got a tattoo and put a streak in my hair. Who knows what I'll do this year? Whatever it is, I hope it's something that's on my bucket list:

Continue to build and grow my company.
Cage dive with Great White Sharks off Seal Island in South Africa.
Go to the Harry Potter theme park. Buy a wand. Drink butterbeer.
Vacation in one of those resorts with the rooms/huts that sit over clear, blue water.
Practice and play golf well enough to consistently break 100.
Have a child (I go back and forth on this one a lot but leaning more towards the yes than no).
Design and build our (The Husband's and mine) dream house.
Go to New York, go to Bao Haus, eat as many baos as I can and maybe, just maybe, get my picture with Eddie Huang.
Get Bikram Yoga certified.
Learn how to make baos.
Holiday in Bangkok, Tokyo, London, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Dubai with The Husband.
Learn how to drive stick shift and do it well.
Own my own piano and finish where I left off with lessons.
Live in a high rise.
Brush up on my Mandarin to where I'm not embarrassed to say things to people.
Learn another language. Maybe French or Italian.
Be better at dance.

TOTALLY do-able! Granted, kind of superficial but the way I see it, these are things I can look forward to esperiencing and, eventually, transfer to the earlier list. The fact that I can even wish for these things says I'm luckier than most. So maybe this year I don't get a tattoo. Maybe, this year, I channel my energy into crossing things off that bucket list and making my life even more fruitful than it already is.

And maybe I start by not freaking the f*** out.

Zarna's Macarons, a.k.a Fruity Pebble Macarons

2012-04-04T21:57:37Z

My friend Zarna of Zarna's Runway recently had a birthday and since Fruity Pebbles are her favorite cereal and she seems to enjoy eating my macarons, I decided I'd bring her some Fruity Pebble Macarons. I was first inspired by her thoughtful brother, Vivek, who sent me a link to The Novice Chef's recipe but I ended up using my own because that's what I'm comfortable with. That, by the way, is what's also vital in macaron success - unless you're certain a recipe works, you're not going to be calm in your approach to making these babies so find what works for you!

Thanks to the birthday girl for grabbing a picture!

Zarna's Fruity Pebble Macarons:

Ingredients

3 large egg whites aged for a couple of days, room temp
45 grams ground and sifted Fruity Pebbles
85 grams almond flour
150 grams powdered sugar
45 grams caster sugar

Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Get your piping bag ready.

Measure your Fruity Pebble "flour" after you've sifted it to where you have exactly 45 grams. Then grind it again with the powdered sugar and almond flour in the food processor. Sift that into a big bowl, set aside.

Whip up your egg whites till they're foamy. Add caster sugar in three - four parts, scraping down the sides of the bowl between each addition to make sure it's all incorporated. Whisk till egg whites are glossy and very stiff peaks form.

Use a metal spoon, gently stir in one half of the flour/Fruity Pebble/sugar mixture. Then fold and mix in the rest of the flour mix to get your macaronage. Don't over mix - fold and scrape the bottom of the bowl to make sure you don't miss the dry bits, fold and flatten, fold and flatten until you get a slightly-slower-than-molten consistency and when you let the macaronage drop back into the bowl it takes a few seconds to flatten out.

Pour into your piping bag, pipe little 1-inch rounds.

Rap the sheets on the counter top to get rid of any air bubbles trapped in the piped rounds. Be firm. Set aside and let rest for at LEAST 15 - 30 minutes. Preheat your oven to 350˚F. Go do something while you let the macarons settle.

When you can (gently) touch the surface of the rounds without pulling any batter up with your fingertip, they're ready to go in. Make sure you are using two baking sheets, not just one. Turn down the temperature to 330˚F. Bake for 10 - 15 minute, rotating the sheets halfway.

Let them cool completely on a cooling rack before trying to remove. They should lift off the paper/mat without sticking.

Fill with your favorite cream or custard! Enjoy.

OH! Wait, not done - if you missed Zarna's birthday and want to get her something, go download her single, Rock the Runway, for free!

Excuses, Excuses.

2012-03-30T05:32:50Z

I haven't forgotten that I have a blog, nor have I forgotten that if not for said blog, I wouldn't be doing what I do right now. It occured to me tonight that I started blogging almost 10 years ago and while that isn't very long compared to the veterans of blogging like Kottke or Dooce or Stephanie Klein, it's still a decade of my thoughts and words being published into the abyss that is the internet.

It's been a busy year so far. The good kind of busy that leaves you a little winded at the end of the day, desperately ready to sink your head into the pillow just so you can start all over again the next morning. I've been helping out at a local Bikram studio and getting back into my practice after almost a year off and after that initial, why-am-I-doing-this-get-me-out-of-here first class back, it feels awesome to be back. The best part of the new year? New work relationships and friendships that have been formed that I am thoroughly enjoying and those have led to some fantastic career opportunities.

Speaking of career, à la mode media is officially an LLC. That's right, this rodeo is official and I'm signing up clients so if you know anyone seeking social media and online marketing consultation/help or who needs someone to manage their company's social media, please send them my way. They can contact me at tabitha {at} lifealamode {dot} com.

Late last year, I signed up to be on the steering committee for the 2012 Lexus Nashville Fashion Week and was one of four on the communications team. Last week, Nashville saw five nights of great runway shows and the entire week's events were run by a great team of people who came together. We all volunteered, Nashville Fashion Week is a non-profit event and everyone worked their asses off. For a great recap visit NashvilleFashionWeek.com. I also wrote about my personal favorites from the week on the Her à la Mode blog. I couldn't have been more proud to have worked with such a dynamic group of people. To each and every one of you, I salute you.

Now it's playing catch-up and prepping for a trip out west for a wedding and more great days and experiences to come. I cannot wait, I may even take you guys along with me! But I will try my utmost to get the next blog post up and running soon. It's either going to be an amazing dining experience I had recently thanks to the guys who run Riff's Truck or a recipe for Fruity Pebble Macarons. Regardless of order, they'll both end up on here soon.

Stay tuned!

Style Profile: Jewelry Tips and Trends from Jess, Stylist for Stella & Dot

2012-03-05T03:09:50Z

Taking a break from food to go back to my other passion - style. I've been on the prowl for new jewelry lately and have a friend who is a Stella & Dot stylist who, everytime I see her, is wearing the best, eye-catching statement pieces.

Jess and I met through the wonderful world of bridal and wedding blogging. She has a cool, easy style with a good eye for detail which probably comes from her background as a graphic designer and, now, jewelry stylist!

You've probably seen them at bridal shows and similar exhibitions, you may even know people who have been to or hosted a trunk show but for those of us less familiar, I thought I'd have Jess fill us in on a few things about Stella & Dot.

Tell us about Stella & Dot
Stella & Dot is a boutique style accessories company that is getting major press in all the top fashion magazines and being worn by some of the hottest celebrities. The line is designed exclusively for Stella & Dot by Blythe Harris with help from some big names in the luxury jewelry market including celebrity designers Maya Brenner, Lizzie Fortunato and Pricella Tavolacci. Our line is designed to be extremely versatile, taking you from day to night and all through the seasons of the year. Best of all, half of the line is under $50! Stella & Dot is not sold in stores- the line of jewelry and handbags can only be viewed at private trunk shows or ordered online through their website.

What jewelry trends do you foresee for the summer?
Color, color, and more COLOR!! Making bold statements on your ears or around your neck-- shades of green and turquoise all look amazing with the Pantone color of the season, Tangerine Tango! our Serenity Stone earrings are a runaway hit this season-- genuine jade stones set in gold plated earrings for only $49! Some other best selling statement earrings are Capri Chandelier Earrings, The Garden Party Chandeliers, and the Azure Couture Earrings.

What are some key pieces from S&D you think every girl should have to elevate their outfit?
Every woman needs a few key pieces in their jewelry wardrobe... a great pair of hoops in gold or silver, a necklace that makes a statement, some classic pearls, some great stackable bracelets, a long layering necklace, a chic delicate necklace, and the perfect pair of studs to match with everything.

What are your favorites?
Ohmygosh... don't ask me that! It's so hard to decide! I'll try to narrow it down to a few in each category! :)

I find myself reaching for the Pegasus very often-- I just love this lightweight statement piece-- it totally makes the outfit whether I wear it with a little black dress or a white tee with jeans. Another personal favorite is the Medina-- this piece is also surprisingly versatile! I've worn it with a summer sundress, with a basic tee and jeans, even over a turtleneck in the winter! Gorgeous, affordable statement piece! I also love pendants right now-- the long silhouette gives the illusion of height makes this short gal feel slimmer; my two faves are the Rebel and the Nahla.

The earrings are gorgeous and I may neet to splurge on that lace cuff - beautiful!

In terms of earrings, I'm a huge fan of the Chantilly Lace Chandeliers (pictured), the Deco Drops {these babies are stunning!), and of course I'm currently in love with the Serenity Stone drops in Jade that I mentioned earlier.

As far as bracelets go, the Renegade is my absolute fave- it's great for layering and gives just the right amount of edge in a feminine way! I'm also in love with our Luna Wrap that can also be worn as a necklace! Another one I'm obsessed with is the Rose gold Rhea Bangles-- rose gold is such a feminine and chic trend in jewelry- I just love them!

Tell us about a S&D trunk show and what kinds of occasions they're great for
Think of how many high end stores or boutiques you've been to where all the pretty jewelry is locked up in a glass case! Stella & Dot brings the boutique to your living room where you can touch, feel, and try on our line of gorgeous accessories with your girlfriends! There's never any pressure to buy and our Stylists are on hand to help you choose the perfect piece to fit your life, style and budget! You are able to place an order for whatever your heart desires and then in 3-5 business days your brand-new jewelry will arrive on your doorstep perfectly packaged in gift-ready adorable boxes! Every aspect of Stella & Dot from our editorial-style lookbook to personal service at the trunk show, to our speedy delivery, to our gorgeous packaging- we strive to delight you every step of the way!

As a thanks to our hostesses, these women receive on average $250 in free jewelry for inviting their girlfriends over to sample our gorgeous collection! It's a truly fantastic way to spend an evening with your friends!

What better way to spend girls' night than to shop at the same time? You can contact Jess here and be sure to look through the huge collection of jewelry from Stella & Dot while you're at the site!

A House Salad Unlike Any Other from Cha Chah

2012-01-31T06:00:50Z

Admittedly I didn't participate in Restaurant Week, not on purpose anyway. I ended up at lunch at Fido one day and, against better judgement, didn't order the local burger and had some sausage thing with mashed potatoes. Lesson learned: when in doubt, just order the local burger. Anyway...

One restaurant week meal I did plan to have was at Cha Chah for Mama Myint's House Salad. I first had the house salad a year ago at International Market where Mama Myint herself (Hi Patty!) taught me and Vivek and a few other people how to properly get the "flavor explosion" that is every bite of this salad.

How it works: you're presented with a smorgasboard of fillings like cilantro, kaffir, ginger, peanuts, pickled garlic and other pickled veggies, Thai chili (chili padi), carrots, pineapple, toasted coconut shreds, lime and a ton more. Each ingredient is carefully cut into equally sized pieces (knife skills ftw) and you fill your lettuce leaf with one or two of each and meat of some sort, drizzled with a sweet chili sauce. For restaurant week Cha Chah served pork and chicken to go with the wrap.

You wrap it all up into a compact package and consume it all in one bite to really get that flavor explosion which, if you can imagine, is fantastic - crunchy, sweet, sour, salty, spicy and refreshing all at once. Bear in mind, the lime has been cut into tiny triangles, rind included which you are also supposed to consume. You wouldn't expect it to taste good but give it a try at least twice before deciding because you will be surprised at the wonderful crunch and texture the rind adds as well as a strangely enjoyable bitter bite that complements the sour and spice from the other condiments.

My company that evening included The Husband, Vivek of Vivek's Epicurean Adventures (and my house salad mate the first time around) and Chris Chamberlain and his lovely girlfriend Lisa and we had a good time. This is a really really fun meal, it's interactive (which I enjoy) and how good it tastes depends on how well you construct each wrap/bite. You build your flavor explosion, and the best part is if you don't perfect it on your first try, you have lots of opportunities to work on it and find the combination that works for you.

Honorary mention goes out to the dessert we ordered - the "Brioche" with marmalade and cream cheese ice cream and the lightest Chocolate Mousse I've ever had the pleasure of eating. Heaven. The mousse came with rum-soaked raisins that are a LOT stronger than you'd expect.

If you did miss this abbreviated version of Mama Myint's salad during restaurant week you'll be happy to know that Cha Chah has added it to their tasting menu. Now, it's not something you can just show up and order, give them 24 hours and make a reservation (4 person minimum). For $35/person it's totally worth it - it's a ton of food, it's a fun experience and I'm ready to go if you are.

Cha Chah | 2013 Belmont Blvd, 37212 | ChaChah.com