Whip It. Whip it Good.

As autumn weather sets in it's hard to resist cozy coffee shops and the warm drinks waiting inside. Gathering your books, laptop, or friends is essential to any coffee shop experience, but unless you're going to sit in and get the most out of your caffeinated experience it's best to stuff your wallet back into your purse. Our addictions can cost us an average of $20 a week. Iced or hot teas and coffee are easy to put in your thermos or to enjoy at home, but it seems every cozy drink comes frothed. Looking to save money and refusing to give up on my steamed-milk options I researched ways to achieve similar results.

I started with this conversation about steamed milk. I think I may just go in for the espresso machine at some point, but I'm really not interested in getting a cheap espresso machine. It might make good froth, but what's the espresso like? So I'm thinking of picking up one of these steamed milk contraptions for the time being. Seems cheap, easy, and fun. Looking forward to cafe au laits and chai lattes more often!

Cinnamon Oil can be used as a disinfectant

"STOP USING THE ANTIBACTERIAL SOAP!" I want to scream at my coworkers every time they take a pump of the bubbly liquid. It's only making bacteria stronger and increasing our problem.

The New York Times just came out with an article about cinnamon oil and its uses as a disinfectant. My reaction after reading it? Thieves oil eh? Well they need not worry. My jewelry isn't going with me to the nether world.

Find out what I'm blabbering about and read the short piece. It will get you thinking and it won't take you more than a minute or two.

Fistful of Crumbs: Kim Sunée leaves her mark

A week ago I came across a memoir writing course on Mediabistro.com taught by Kim Sunée. I've always wanted to write a memoir and though I don't quite feel it's the time yet, I already have my central theme in mind. Curious about the course I did a little research on the instructor and came across her first memoir, "Trail of Crumbs: Hunger, Love and the Search for Home."

The freelance writer and food editor known for her culinary contributions to The New York Times, Elle and Southern Living published "Trail of Crumbs" January 2008. The memoir recounts Sunée's limbo life from the age of three through her mid-twenties. Left by her birth mother in a crowded Korean market with nothing but crumbs in her tiny fist, Sunée was adopted and raised in New Orleans. The book matches mouth-watering recipes from her life to each of the chapters detailing her university years in France and her decade living, working and trying to love in Europe. I recommend the book--though an old read--to anyone with a love for memoirs and food. Readers will find themselves cooking through Sunée's memories, inviting the tasteful dishes as memorable additions to their own lives.

Complimentary Facials at Sephora Thursday

Amorepacific and Sephora are providing mini facials this Thursday at Sephora's Soho location. Facials will be tailored for each visitors' skin type. Skin-care consultations will also be part of the gratis service.

Sephora 555 Broadway, New York, NY, 10012 between Prince and Spring sts (212.625.1309) 1-7pm

A Kiss of Moisture: Nivea Hydrating Lip Care

Growing up just outside of New York City I've always treasured the ability to have what I want at my fingertips. Hard-to-find beauty products, rare clothing stores, some of the best restaurants in the world were all available to me should I want them. If I came across products on my travels I was sure there was a corner of the city selling them if I just looked hard enough. That's why it's so frustrating that no matter how hard I look I can't seem to find Labello Lip Balm. This soft and smooth lip care is a European staple. Cheap and reliable, the brand is plentiful in tastes, tints and color choices--like an American Apparel for your lips. There was a tip not long ago from Nylonmag.com about a Greenwich Village drugstore having a supply, but I turned up empty-handed. Unfortunately the search continues.


Thankfully the German company, Beiersdorf, has been marketing lip balms under Nivea--known to U.S. citizens for their creams and lotions--that match the Labello quality. Their most recent addition is Kiss of Moisture, a hydrating lip care with SPF. The light-weight formula of joboba oil and shea butter is quickly absorbed as it glides on to lips. Definitely a must for any make-out session as it isn't messy and gives lips a suppleness worth coming back for. It's a great addition to your daily lipstick, tint or gloss though it provides just enough shine to wear alone. Just try resisting an addiction.

TMNT makes a come back

Confession
Originally uploaded by lpasarin

Yes, children-of-the-'80s: you are that old. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles celebrated its 25th Anniversary this past week with events through out the city. Time Out New York was able to recap some of the Tribeca Film Festival TMNT event--complete with glowing manhole covers and a free screening of the 1990 film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles--so be sure to check out the fun. Apparently a new TMNT film will be on its way out in the near future. At least then the current teenage generation won't look at me like I'm crazy when I name off all four crime-stopping reptiles and their respective color bandanas.

Scanning the images I noticed plenty of children dressed as Michelangelo, but barely any Donatello love at all. What a shame. The brainy, sensible leader always sent tingles down my spine.

Now if you excuse me I'm going back to role-playing April O'Neill. At least I'm closer in age now than I was in pre-school.

Low vs Diamond - "Don't Forget Sister" Video

This is such a simple video, but it's clever and catchy like the song itself. Enjoy ;-)

Tegan and Sara: Back in Your Head

Back In Your Head - Tegan & Sara

Though the song is nearly two years old I can't help still liking it. It's a little too true of my relationships.

On another note, Tegan and Sara is an awesome band. What's cooler than twin, lesbian sisters who can rock out with thoughtfully catchy lyrics?

Flickr Blog Inspiration

To find more amazing photos from the G20 protests check out the flickr blog post associated with them.

A better look at that skirt from BCBGMAXAZARIA

Earlier I discussed the awesomeness that was a skirt from BCBGMAZAZARIA, but the slideshow didn't exactly give the best view. It cut off the best part of the clothing: it's waistband.

Here's a better look at the fabulousness of this... did I mention it comes in MOCHA?? Get your booty to the store. That cut might be a year old, but it's flattery is still going strong.

Gone Shopping Part II

Not that I actually have the money to purchase all these things, but a girl can dream. Hell, it's why I read catalogues like magazines. I started out just looking at the earrings at Urban Outfitters--I'm a sucker for earrings--and ended up hopping around to various stores.

Some notes on the items:

• I'm a sucker for all dangly or delicate jewelry.

• Fabulous Fanny's and Screaming Mimi's are two of the places to go for sunglasses or vintage frames.

• I like the concept of jewelry cabinets in addition to jewelry boxes. Boxes are great for rings, some earrings and bracelets/watches, but really a cabinet helps make sure those necklaces aren't getting tangled. What a pain in the arse it is to attempt to untangle (but not succeed) a necklace when you're running late for work!

• The BCBGMAXAZRIA skirt caught my fancy when I ran into an old friend from HS at my store. Her friend came in to find a body suit to match with this skirt (she bought it in MOCHA) and can I just say it's FABULOUS and worth every darn penny...

• That night stand might be hard to see since it's white-on-white, but ooooo the pattern is cute as well as the overall structure of the dresser itself.

• The GUAM jewelry reminds me of the monkey bone jewelry my dad made for my aunt when he was going to school for jewelry design. I've inherited those lovely thick beads... everything makes a come back I guess... Brian Crumley's design for the earrings is reminiscent of the fake plastic jewelry you made as a kid growing up in the late 80s/early 90s. While I'm intrigued... I'm not sure I'd fork over my hard-earned money.

Tweet Tweet Tweet.. shut up!!!

Is there a reason everyone has a Twitter account now?

Because these people know how to rock out

Inspiration Whore is indeed back... we took a bit of a detour, but there are plenty of goodies to come in the next few days all scanned and drafted. Oh joy!

I'll probably be putting the archives on another site since this didn't have as much focus or regularity as I would have liked before.

Now... if you want to catch some people who REALLY rock check out my short piece about Wednesday Night Song Club and catch them tomorrow with Sunday Social at LIC Bar. Yippee!

-LP

Gone Shopping

Just some items I'm into lately. Many are from Urban Outfitters (hence the "UO"), but they sell numerous designers and items so it's hard not to look there for inspiration. The skirt from Guess mocks me from the window when I walk by the display at Garden State Plaza. I have the American Apparel disco pants in black, but this Navy color is quite the hit. The pants are great no matter what color you get them in. I admit I'm biased since I'm an employee. The Sexuality Tee is worn pretty short on this model, but I like to wear it (longer) as a mesh dress over a bandeau and some leggings or black jeans cinched with a belt or tied up Flashdancer style.

Twist and Shout

Ryan makes some unexpected cash while playing Mady's request at the Subway station.

Two weeks ago I met some pretty amazing people and the night proved to be quite interesting. It ended with us singing in the subway. More videos to come, but I really think this one shows their personalities as well as Ryan's performance persona.

Oren's Daily Porter: Heartland Brewery

What could be better than coffee and beer? A blend of the two in the same drink.