Match Nap

I really don't see any disadvantages to making a sleep mask that matches the cushions on your couch. There are only pros, a nap where you match your napping environment being among them.

NEED

 

THIS

 

SO

BAD.

(The NESTREST by Parisian designers Daniel Pouzet and Fred Frety, as highlighted by Contemporan.)

Cats, man.

Today has been somewhat trying. Between a major academic...uh...bump in the road, a considerable sleep deficit, a lengthy to-do list, and existing in the hottest day of my entire life (this is my first summer in Texas and 108 feels exactly like it sounds), all I can think is that I really just need a cat to chill out with for a few minutes.

I may sound silly, perhaps, but fellow cat lovers will understand the incredible soothing qualities of close proximity to a cat you know. Since pets aren't allowed in my apartment building, I figure the next best thing is to take a little time out to revel in the idea of a cat-centric life and enjoy some feline eye candy. It's...possible that I'm a little obsessed, but I'm not alone. Andy Warhol, Audrey Hepburn, Vogue, a slew of designers and a long list of great thinkers (Albert Schweitzer, Erwin Schrödinger, Samuel Clemens, to name a few) have all acquired inspiration from and an admiration for these wonderfully complex creatures.

Italian Vogue, May 2008.

Morgan Freeman, cat on head.Lanavin, fall/winter 2009

(The one on the right really gets me.)

 

French Vogue, Feb. 2008

Of course, it wouldn't make sense to post about cats and leave out my favorite one. This is Henny, short for Henryetta, sometimes Henny Crawford because of the beauty mark (formerly Henry, until she grew up and went into heat), who lives with my family since my move down here. I miss her terribly. Some think she's prissy, but she really just likes things how she likes them, a la Meg Ryan in When Harry met Sally, you know? I think that's why we get along so well. Meow.

'Na

My go-to recipe is always banana crumb muffins. I almost always have bananas that are too ripe to eat on their own sitting around to make me feel guilty. I should never buy as many as I do, but I never have the guts to break up the bunches while grocery shopping. Anyhow. This night, just as many nights before it, found me preheating and mashing and and mixing and pouring and crumbling until warm, spongy, sugary, banana-y bliss emerged from my new and giant oven. I am pleased to inform the blogosphere that this batch turned out particularly heavenly. In fact, I'm so happy with the outcome that after eating three and basking in my room mate's compliments, I decided a small celebration of this yellow wonder would be the perfect inaugural blog post.

I am terribly fond of this "Sexy Banana Split Doll" by Bee Harris, an especially bad ass textile artist who's gorgeous and macabre, plushie-filled photostream I cannot stop lurking.

Bananagram...for real. Upon remembering a tidbit of information from my days as an American Girl subscriber, I decided to do a little research. I recall specifically an issue with instructions on throwing a luau in which that ultimate authority on all things interesting to a little girl suggested that one mail the invitations written out on bananas. It turns out this really is possible in the US and will cost the sender roughly $2.50 in postage. So um...who am I not going to mail a banana to?

Is it wrong to cry because this Chloé dress is sold out at net-a-porter.com? It's...beautiful, not to mention incredibly comfortable looking. And seriously, cherries have had their time as the dominant fruit print.

Finally, I present to you Superlambanana. A seventeen foot, eight ton sculpture by Manhattan-based Japanese artist Taro Chiezo. Superlambanana makes its home in Liverpool, England, a lovable hybrid of two import and export industries historically important to the city, bananas and sheep. Apparently this sculpture has quite the cult following and has spawned several spoofs, some of my favorites being chrome Superlambanana, peeled Superlambanana and Sgt. Pepper Superlambanana.

Also, as it would be cruel not to share, here's the banana crumb muffin recipe to end all banana crumb muffin recipes adapted from Lisa Kreft's version.

Muffins:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 bananas, mashed
3/4 cup white sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup butter, melted

Crumb topping:
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon butter

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease 12 muffin cups, or line with muffin papers.

2. In a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat together bananas, white sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, egg and melted butter. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.

3. In a small bowl, mix together 1/3 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and cinnamon. Cut in 1 tablespoon butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Sprinkle topping over muffins.

4. Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.

Enjoy!