Queenie Darleen

Two Wounded Birds - To Be Young

The band continues to woo us with its music and is now giving away a free download of this first single from their self-titled debut album.

Two Wounded Birds features 12 songs including “The Outer World”, “If Only We Remain”, “My Lonesome”, “Together Forever”, and “Night Patrol”.

Release dates: June 4th (UK), June 24th (US)

Follow Two Wounded Birds on Twitter: @TwoWoundedBirds

Photo credit: Aideen Shannon

Craft Spells - Leave My Shadow

Great track out of Craft Spells’ upcoming EP Gallery to be released on May 15th.

Hundred Visions - Last Cab from Tunis

The Ladybug Transistor - Clutching Stems

CHEERS TO THE SUMMER

Summer is soon approaching, which means it’s time to stock up on Soludos!

Widowspeak - Gun Shy

For the Nail Polish Obsessed

Julep is a boutique nail salon that sells toxin-free nail polish ($14 each) as well as other nail care products, online and at Sephora. But for $19.99 a month you can subscribe to their Julep Maven program and have over $40 worth of Julep products delivered to your home. Monthly boxes are customized depending on your style (there’s a quiz for that) and shipping is free.

But if you’re not an avid collector of nail polish and don’t want the commitment that comes along with a monthly subscription, I suggest you look into Julep’s Mystery Box.

Once in a while, Julep puts together a themed Mystery Box—past themes have included Valentine’s day and St. Patrick’s day—that also sells for $19.99 (plus shipping fee for non-members) but is only available in limited quantities. The fun factor is that unlike monthly box subscribers who you get a preview of what’s to come, you won’t find out what’s inside the Mystery Box until you open it.

Inside my Julep Spring Mystery Box, I found Julep’s Essential Cuticle Oil (best seller) and nail polish in 4 different colors (L-R):

• Melissa (sheer pearlescent/opalescent)
• Pippa (best-seller)
• Hayden (creamy peach in a matte-like finish)
• January (best-seller)

Cats on Fire - A Few Empty Waves

Sawyer wearing his custom-made bow tie on Easter Sunday…

Grimes - Skin

From her new record Visions.

Homemade Fruit Tart

Crust:

1 ½ sticks of unsalted butter

¼ cup sugar

1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour

Cut the butter into thick slices and using a food processor, mix the ingredients for 15 seconds or until it has a dough consistency.

When you have the dough ready, place it in the center of a 9-inch tart pan and spread evenly. Bake at 375° for 15 minutes. 

Filling:

2 cups evaporated milk or half-and-half

8 tbsp sugar

4 tbsp butter

5 egg yolks

3 tbsp cornstarch

1 ½ tbsp vanilla extract

Using a saucepan, stir the milk and 6 tablespoons of sugar over medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves. On a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks and the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Once it’s creamy, add the cornstarch and continue to whisk until it thickens. 

Slowly add the egg mix to the saucepan and stir continuously for a few seconds so it doesn’t burn. Remove the saucepan from the stove and pour the cream into a bowl. Add the butter and vanilla extract, whisk, and pour back into the saucepan.

Continue to stir at medium-high heat until it begins to boil (you MUST wait for the cream to boil, otherwise it will not be thick.) Then, pour the mixture into the crust and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, before decorating with your choice of fruits.

Tennis - Robin

For Dog Owners and Dog Lovers: BarkBox.com

I always fall for pretty packaging, so the idea of a gift box full of doggy goodies excited me. Evidently, I couldn’t stop myself from buying Sawyer his very own BarkBox— he’s been a good boy and will participate in another dog show next month!

Every month, the team at BarkBox.com puts together a nicely packaged box that contains at least four items, which can be anything from toys to treats and other dog-products— along with a note that describes the goodies and where to find them— and delivers it to your home.

You can sign up for one of three subscription plans for yourself and your dog(s) or buy them as a gift. When you purchase a gift, the gift recipient will receive an e-mail with instructions on how to redeem their BarkBox. Shipping is always free.

The theme for this February BarkBox was Valentine’s Day/Pet Dental Month.

Inside the box:

• A Moose Taster from Acadia Antlers (Sawyer’s favorite)
• A Lollycadoodle wool-made toy in the shape of a heart (My favorite)
• Heart-shaped Minty Fresh Biscuits made with organic ingredients from The Yellow Dog Bakery
• ProDental by PetEdge peppermint flavor dental wipes 
• Plastic BarkBox collar as a thank you gift for purchasing the first box (the company donates 10% of proceeds to groups and causes that help rescue dogs.)

If there’s a special dog in your life or someone you know, get them to try BarkBox.com. Sawyer and I loved it!

(Valentine’s Day snapshots)

Chairlift - Take It Out On Me

From their new album Something.

Karen Krasne’s Extraordinary Desserts (San Diego, CA)