Treat Yo Mom!

I've absorbed many of my mom's good qualities, but a deep understanding of the laundry arts is not one of them. I'm close to 30 and a little embarrassed to admit that I can't tell you how many times I've brought home a shirt with an olive oil spill or had to ask her to restore a dingy white anything to its original snow white condition.

And here's the crazy thing: she offers to help me and doesn't mind doing it. If I were in her shoes, I think I'd probably roll my eyes. Mom, thanks for not rolling your eyes at me. For wanting to help. For being so selfless about it. Your ability to give of yourself so generously, without expecting anything in return is one your greatest qualities. I hope a little of that has rubbed off on me.

This weekend, cheers your mom (or that special like-a-mother person in your life) because they deserve more recognition and appreciation than we give them.

How are you celebrating this weekend? If you're doing brunch, try one of my favorite tricks: swap in tangerine juice for OJ in the mimosas. It's a tangy, pleasant surprise. She'll love it

If sweet treats are more your mom's speed, try one these lovely desserts from Caitlin Freeman, of Mondrian/Blue Bottle/MOMA fame. Although intricate, her recipes are very easy to follow and they look amazing.

Whatever you do, have a wonderful weekend!

Whiskey vs. Tequila + WEEKEND!

Prepare thy livers, the Kentucky Derby and Cinco de Mayo are upon us. I'm not big on either celebration, but let's be real, I'm not one to pass up themed cocktails.

Today's face-off brings us head to head with two divisive spirits: whiskey and tequila. In my experience, most people have had a horrific experience with one or the other and avoid it forever. Newsflash: everything in moderation, my friends. Also: water. Also: you can learn to love again.

Let's start with my particular poison: whiskey. I don't know why mint juleps are specifically reserved for Derby Days, but I think the mojito's awesome cousin should be showing up to more family functions, yes? Yes.

Extra Minty Mint Juleps

Who doesn't love mint? Don't answer that, it's not a thing. Mint simple syrup makes everything better and more summery. (Try it in iced tea!) As it's been upward 75 degrees around here, we're gonna need more mint.

1 oz. Super Minty Simple Syrup (2 parts sugar + 1 part water + a handful of mint)
A bunch of mint
2 oz. whiskey (I go with Bulleit.)

1) To get started, boil the sugar, water and mint together until clear. I typically do one cup of sugar to a half cup of water, but you can make more or less, depending on your needs. If you're going to make more, add a little vodka, which will help it keep longer.

2) Once the simple syrup is boiled, put the whole mix (including the mint) in the refrigerator to cool down. In the meantime, if you want to get fancy you can blend up shaved ice in the blender. I personally find the typical amount of ice completely distracting, but to each their own.

3) Once everything is chilled, put a few sprigs of mint in the bottom of the cup, add the simple syrup and half-muddle/half-mix to release the powers of super mint. Stir in the whiskey, add the ice and call it a day.

Next up, we have Cinco de Mayo's beverage of choice, the margarita. For me, margaritas are one of those things that are terrific if made well and hideous if not. (Jose Cuervo, I'm looking at you.) Last year I got really into the idea of a spicy margarita. Although I'm a baby when it comes to anything past a poblano, the heat adds a nice kick to something that is otherwise too sweet, even for me.

Verdita-rita

Recently I stumbled upon verdita, a mint/cilantro/pineapple/jalapeno accompaniment to tequila shots and I thought, why not mix them? The result is sort of like a fresh but kicky tequila punch and can totally be modified for our teetotaler friends. Everybody wins.

A bunch of cilantro
Half a bunch of mint
Three jalapenos, more if you're really brave
64 oz. of pineapple juice
2 oz. blanco tequila (I like Cazadores.)
A lime, if you're feeling citrusy

1) Slice the tops of the jalapenos and take out the seedy middle. (If you want it to be hotter, you can leave it in.) Dice 'em up.

2) Mix everything in a blender. You might have to do this in two parts. Once blended, strain out the pulverized veggies and refrigerate the mix.

3) Once chilled, add the tequila and pour in the verdita. If you want, you can add a squeeze of lime. Get crazy.

Sidenote: The verdita mix might separate, just give it a stir and you're good to go.
 

Have a good weekend, guys! Be safe and responsible and don't end up like a sad owl.

Total Madness

One thing I always really loved about school was having in-depth conversations following an in-class movie or TV show. Television is the great equalizer. Not everybody does the reading, but everyone can watch something and form an opinion. As I get older and geekier, I miss having a dialogue with a whole roomful of different viewpoints and experiences.  I usually feel the pang the most on Sunday nights when Jeremy and I watch Mad Men. We talk about the show as we watch it and then afterwards, but there's only so much we know about the '60s, considering we didn't live through it. Some things really lend themselves to public discussion and that's why I turn to the Internet for comprehensive nerducation. There is an amazing network of really smart and engaged writers and commenters out there. If you're equally obsessed, I think you'll appreciate my Monday morning go-to reads. If you have any all-stars, let me know!

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My all-time favorite recaps come from Nelle Engoron, the woman who literally wrote the book on decoding Mad Men. Nelle recaps over at Salon and her analysis is probably one of my favorite reads on the Web. Each week she delves into the psychological, sociological and historical aspects of the show in funny and nuanced way. If you have to pick one, let this be it.

New this season, she's started an online radio show, Mad Men Talk, on Monday nights, where viewers can call in and discuss reactions. I haven't had a chance to listen yet, but I'm definitely adding it to my lineup.

The show is produced meticulously with so much latent subtext that even the outfits have significance. Thankfully the good men at Tom and Lorenzo break down Janie Bryant's sartorial choices, both overt and subtle. Their style-caps also serve as a cool history lesson, dissecting why certain pieces were in at the time.

Besides being ESPN's in-depth sports writing site, Grantland also produces some of the most thoughtful pop culture writing that I've across online. (Although not Mad Men-related, Chuck Klosterman's articles are not to be missed.) Between the recaps and weekly power rankings, you could get completely caught up, even if you've never watched the show.

Last week, Brian Williams led a panel discussion with a few of the actors at the Paley Center. I missed it (BOO!) but I think it will probably end up on Hulu at some point. If you missed it too, Gothamist has an interesting sum up of the event. Favorite fact: Jon Hamm reads recaps. Man after my own heart.

Other faves include:

Vulture - New York magazine's entertainment site has good recaps, solid discussion articles and super active commenters.

The AV Club - The OG of Mad Men recaps. Did you know Mad Men is one of the reasons they started doing TV recaps?

Slate - Rather than just having one person write a recap, Slate does something interesting and has three writers review the show. I like it because it feels like they're writing letters to each other.

AMC - AMC's Mad Men blog has a lot of Q&A pieces, behind the scenes photos and a handbook of 1960's touchstones.

P.S. NPR picks Matthew Weiner's brain + a clip of Mad Men at the Paley Center:

Were you Raised in a Barn?: Shut Up!

On Friday night, Jeremy and I went to see Anthony Bourdain and Eric Ripert on their Good vs. Evil tour and they were awesome. Super funny with great friend chemistry. Totally enjoyable.

Not so enjoyable were the Statler and Waldorf duo behind us who insisted on providing running commentary and SCREAMING things at Bourdain. For the ENTIRE show. At some points, it was was beyond distracting because we couldn't even hear what was being said on stage.

I sat there half enjoying the program and half wondering how to turn around and ask them to shut up in the nicest way possible. But then I started thinking, if they're acting this rudely, what if I ask them to be quiet and it ends up causing a scene? What if they act more obnoxious just to be spiteful?

These charmers were old enough to know better, which is partly why I resisted saying anything. My mom always taught me to be respectful of my elders, but to be honest, I don't have a lot of respect for people with bad manners--no matter what age they are. 

Here's the deal: the audience paid to hear Bourdain and Ripert. Not you. I guess I had assumed this should go without saying, but, don't do this! Do not be disruptive in any sort of public viewing situation. It's rude and disrespectful to the audience and the performers.

How do you guys handle these situations? Do you say something or let it slide?

Hunka Hunka Burning Love + Louis C.K.!

I'm #sorryimnotsorry to say this, but: sometimes there is nothing better than reality TV. Give me rich housewives behaving badly, a capella competitions and dating shows. I will watch them all.

It took two friends to convince me to watch Burning Love, a Yahoo! produced web-series spoof on The Bachelor and The Bachelorette with famous comedic actors, and srrrrsly? Why did I even need to be convinced that this was awesome? Michael Ian Black hosts. Paul Rudd, Nick Kroll, Adam Scott, Paul Scheer, Jennifer Aniston, Kristen Bell and ADAM BRODY (Uh, yes. The O.C., bitch.) are just SOME of the stars.

If you're a late adopter, hop on it because season three premieres today. Past contestants compete for $900 and Michael Ian Black wears casual clothes. Not to be missed.

Here's the trailer so you can check it out:

In other funny people news, Louis C.K.'s newest stand-up special finally debuts on HBO this Saturday. After a lot finger-crossing and Craigslist searching, Jeremy and I were lucky enough to snag day-of tickets to one of his San Francisco shows. It did not disappoint. My favorite bit, called "Of course--but maybe" came at the end of the show. It started off benign, but you know, obviously escalated to a weird place.  This will probably be your reaction:

Louis C.K.: Oh My God - Tease

Happy weekend!!

Only in SF: Mount Davidson + #thatSFtree

Have you ever wandered up to Mount Davidson?

I follow quite a few people on Instagram who seem to be up there all the time and it looks gorgeous! It's the highest natural point in San Francisco and it's only about a half-mile hike to the top. (My kind of hike.)

There's a huge cross that's maintained in honor of Armenian genocide victims and up until the scary wind storm that ravaged the city on Sunday night, there was a perfect climbing tree, also known as #thatSFtree. Based on the photos, it really was a great tree: perfectly angled and easy to scale.

It's so touching how many people are saddened by the loss of the tree. Haters can say what they will about our "Baghdad-by-the-Bay" but I think it's very sweet that a whole community is bummed about the loss of one multi-branched beauty. This really is the best city in the world.

via Cindy Loughridge

Play Ball!

In honor of today's home opener, I bring you the best Giants gear money can buy. We're a championship team, you guys, start dressing like it.

My number one pick comes from my favorite designer on the street, Amos Goldbaum. Although our beloved bearded closer/mascot is pretending he's a free agent until he finally makes his way back into my OUR loving arms, I think it's OK to wear beard-festooned garb. Romo has a beard, and let's face it, beards are the height of manliness and they can easily intimidate a lesser team. Get yours here.

While I'm not a fan of people walking around with neon colored words on their butts and typically boycott purveyors of said items, even I can get behind a little glamour at the game. There are sequins. I'm sold. Shine bright like a diamond. 

OK, while they're not orange and black, these cuff links are adorable. They're made from "an MLB Authenticated game used Giants baseball." Come on, that's awesome. Gentleman, throw 'em in your desk drawer and then be the classiest (and most well-prepared) dude when your boss slides impromptu box seats your way. Get dapper. 

Gotta have love for San Francisco-based businesses and you can't get more local than Argoz, an argyle sock company in SOMA, run by my friend Dan. Right now they're running a half-off deal for the lovely Triple Play, featured above. Guaranteed to keep you warm to the knees on those cold, torturous nights.

Of course, the best swag of all would be a World Series replica ring. Luckily, the first 40,000 fans to make it through the gates this Sunday can snag one. We are the CHAMPIONS!

Oh, and GO GIANTS!