Pink Of Perfection on Shine

The Only Lemon Bar Recipe You'll Ever Need

nospam@example.com ()

Last year we dutifully ate our

10 ways to enjoy the holiday season that have nothing to do with buying presents

nospam@example.com ()

<img alt="pink-vintage-christmas.jpg" src="http://www.pinkofperfection.com/pink-vintage-christmas.jpg" style="text-align:center;" width="493" height="465">image via the awesome <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24681937@N00/301913097/">picnic_by_ellie</a> The other day, as the sun was setting at its depressingly early hour, I stepped into a Crate and Barrel for a dose of holiday cheer. Inside, there were decorations for the mod bachelor pad, the enviro-loving pinecone candle burners, and people who just want to buy a lot of gold trinkets, a lot of red ribbon, and a life supply of sweet chocolate-dipped confections packaged in striped tins. After I stumbled out, sort of in a <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfBYa3qsMnc">Karen Carpenter-induced daze</a>, I needed a caffeinated jolt. Inside the 'Bucks there were more carols, Christmas mugs, gingerbread cookies, and a widespread feeling of hurried pandemonium. As happy as I was to get my coffee in the beloved red holiday cups, the whole production felt sort of...empty. I walked back to my office, past the Gap and a display of sweaters that pronounced in hypnotic scroll, "Joy to the Girl!" And I just thought, this is not what it's about. Whether or not you work in Times Square perhaps you, too, would you like to count some ways in which we can celebrate the season that have nothing to do with gift receipts and sales on prepackaged gingerbread men.

What are you thankful for?

nospam@example.com ()

It's easy to get caught up in the stress of Thanksgiving -- the turkey, the guest list, do we have enough chairs?! One of the best things you can do that's actually in the spirit of the season is making a list of what you're grateful for, and 100 items is...

The best of the season: farmer's market lasagna

nospam@example.com ()

Deep August could certainly be one's favorite time at the farmer's market, what with its lusty, sweltering heat, and overabundance of tomatoes so ripe, any moment they will split their own skin. Everyone crowds under the white tented stalls to find respite from the relentless...

The anti-dinner party

nospam@example.com ()

I don't like dinner parties. Oh, you don't either? You don't like all that fussing and the stressed host and the awkward conversations and the lights on too bright in the living room and all the silly courses that really only make sense if you have a manservant and who has a...

Renegade Craft Fair Redux

nospam@example.com ()

As we were standing in the mean June sun, Sebastian (who took all these pictures) asked why in god's name the Renegade is always held on the brutalest of summer days. I should have knocked on wood as I said, a know-it-all to the end, that it's the one time of year when it's guaranteed...

What do you cook when you're so tired cooking?

nospam@example.com ()

I'm in a funk. A not-wanting-to-cook funk, and the heat and humidity ain't helping. This dinner of roast chicken breasts, chickpeas, tomatoes, and paprika was really, really good, full of big bold flavors that made heavenly sandwiches the next day. But I can't say when I will next turn...

6 great Etsy stores for vintage kitchen goods

nospam@example.com ()

There was a time, oh so many years ago, when I could truly find vintage gems for a song on ebay. This, I fear, is not so much the case anymore, thanks to something called a free market economy. As the vintage treasures dwindle, the amount of crapola also rises, leaving one feeling as if she is crossing a desert of trash, constantly deceived by mirages.

But then there is etsy, with its nice design and clean interface, and the edited, curated selections of a few vintage sellers who can be depended on.

6 Great Etsy Stores for Vintage Kitchen Goods

nospam@example.com ()

clockwise from upper-left: Edelweiss Vintage; May Berries Vintage; White Elephant Vintage; Vintage Goodies There was a time, oh so many years ago, when I could truly find vintage gems for a song on ebay. This, I fear, is not so much the case anymore, thanks to something called a free market economy....

Mother's Day Potato and Leek Gratin

nospam@example.com ()

To be totally honest, I didn't want to go to my mom's book club. It wasn't that I didn't think it would be fun, or that I don't like tagging along with my mother on her social calls. It was just that it was Friday night, I had been sitting at my desk all day, only to then wedge...