welcome to elaney!

There is a line in American Wife (probably the highlight of our summer reading) about how being at a community pool with kids splashing and grilled cheeses being grilled at the snack bar and Mickey Mouse ice cream bars on the 10 minute break (oops, may’ve added the last one) represents her feeling as happy as she can possibly be.  Oh!  How we can relate to the sounds and smells of summer at its most honest!  So, what else represents the childlike sensibilities of summer?  Try a popsicle from King of Pops.  Check out the cart of pops at the “corner” of North Ave. & North Highland, right across from Manual’s Tavern, Mon-Fri 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sat-Sun noon to 8 p.m (they are also at Souper Jenny and Irwin Street Market and a few other places).  Delicious, festive, and one more way to stay cool.

The universe wants us to share this dip with you.  What had happened was:  a few months ago, we had this dip at a party and loved it.  Hadn’t thought about it since.  Then randomly decided to make it for a cookout last Saturday and intended to email the chef (who we don’t even know that well) for the recipe.  Then, coincidentally on Saturday morning, Reader g-love mentioned that she had been going through our cookbooks to find some dip that some different girl from Columbus (who neither of us know) made.  Lo and behold, it’s the same dip.  Then if that wasn’t random enough, Darby of Fly Through Our Window posted it Sunday, so we decided, there is someone out there that just needs this recipe (tweaked a little, per elaney):

Feta Black Bean Dip
Serves 10
1/4 cup sugar
2/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 {15 oz} cans of black beans, drained and rinsed
2 {15 oz} cans of Shoepeg corn, drained and rinsed
1 bunch of scallions, chopped
1 bunch of cilantro, chopped
1 {4 oz} block feta cheese, crumbled

Whisk sugar, vinegar and oil in a large bowl. Add the black beans, corn, scallions, cilantro, and feta and mix well. Chill until serving time. Serve with tortilla chips or corn chips.

Not Shakespeare.  C’mon, it’s summer!  Time for crazy nail polish and sunning by the pool.  There is nothing we love like some good beach trash in the sun.  And until we write our own beach read (have a really strong first chapter…), all we have is to enjoy the antics of fellow fun loving, wine drinking, PR girls, just trying to find love and make an honest living in a crooked world.

This is what’s on the list for vaca:

Last Night at the Chateau Marmont, Lauren Weisberger

Not out until May 27 (this is a faux cover), the premise is that “Two college sweethearts are living a happy, rather ordinary life in New York, but the tables are turned when he’s discovered by a Sony exec and their worlds are turned upside down. Soon they are holidaying in the Hamptons and attending every glitzy party in town.  But the trappings of this elite lifestyle mean our heroine must face the wrath of the US press….”

Why?  Anything by Lauren Weisberger, we will read.  Thank you Devil Wears Prada.

The Carrie Diaries, Candace Bushnell

We all know about a little lady called Carrie Bradshaw…”Before Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw was a small town girl who knew she wanted more. She’s ready for real life to start, but first she must navigate her senior year of high school”

Why?  Can’t get enough SATC, and perhaps a little more innocent version will be a refreshing change.

Hush, Kate White

From the Editor-n-Chief of Cosmo, Aunt eDoll got us hooked on these murder mysteries.  ”When fabulous New Yorker Lake Warren learns that her husband, Jack, is suing for full custody of their two kids four months after their separation, she’s pretty certain that things can’t get any worse.  But the morning after a one-night stand, Lake discovers that things can indeed become worse—they can become deadly…”

Why?  Have read every single Kate White mystery, the Bailey Weggins series is amaaaaaazing, and we’re exciting to meet Lake!

Total Waste of Makeup, Kim Gruenenfelder

From our FAVORITE beach read of last year, Misery Loves Cabernet, here is Kim Gruenenfelder’s first book.  ”Charlize “Charlie” Edwards certainly knows, in theory, what it takes to lead a successful and happy life.  She has glamorous and loyal friends who accompany her to the hottest clubs in town. And she works as the personal assistant to Drew Stanton, Hollywood’s sexiest movie star. But she’s also turning 30, chronically single, and faced with serving as maid of honor at her younger sister’s wedding.”

Why?  LA + Career Woman + Failing Love Life = Too fun for words.

It’s March, and we know what that means.  Lots of ladies running around trying to get ready in the morning with nothing to wear.  You are so sick of your winter clothes you don’t know what to do, and you have no idea what you wore last spring.  The few items you can find seem a little more faded and wrinkly than they once did.  There is only one cure for midseason blues…retail therapy.

We’re gotten distracted with winter, but we are officially Marching into spring by kicking off 3 straight days of fashion posts.  And we are starting with everyone’s favorite warm weather attire…the swimsuit.  Not feeling so sexy?  Check out Spanx’s new line of swimwear.  They are mostly one pieces and tankinis (btw, ladies, everyone to have 1 one piece – there are occasions when a 2 piece is not appropriate), but they have a few tiny bikinis too!  They aren’t cheap (around $180), but it makes you feel cute and confident, who cares?  Which ones do we like?  The ones with ruffles of course!

We’ve never been shy about our love for the good old-fashion completely silly beach read.  Chasing Harry Winston – we’re not above you.  Hollywood Girls Club – sign us up.  However, every now and then, we like to step it up to the notch between completely silly and AP Lit reading lists.  This beach trip, here’s what we have in the hopper:

The Help, Kathryn Stockett

Set in Jackson, MS in 1962, aspiring writer Eugenia Sketter Phelan is home from college and putting together her first manuscript.  She writes the stories of the “help” in the wealthy homes in a scathing book that upsets the traditional Southern balance of power. 

Peachtree Road, Anne Rivers Siddons

Written in 1988, the novel is about Old Town Atlanta and is the story of “manipulative, destructive cousin Lucy Bondurant Chastain Venable” (perhaps a modern day Emma Bovary?).

(And Miranda’s Big Mistake and Shoe Addicts Anonymous ).

Full report to come.

Ever have a day where you feel like you can’t catch a break?  Perhaps a little escapist reading will do the trick!  Fourth of July weekend is upon us, and you need some good reading for the lake / beach!  This summer’s best beach reads:

Love the One You’re With, Emily Giffin

Little sad for our tastes, but it is set in the ATL which makes for a fun change.  Similar to her other books – very relateable characters, little weak on plot – all and all, it’s fun to read.  Final word – borrow, don’t buy.

 Misery Loves Cabernet, Kim Gruenenfelder

Not since the First and Second Assistant have we fallen so in love with a crazy heroine!  MLC is the story of Charlie and her friends and family navigating the crazy LA dating world.  Suuuuper witty and clever.  Fun read!  Can’t wait to read her first one…Total Waste of Makeup.

 Secrets of a Show Addict, Beth Harbison

Have not read this one, but can’t wait too!  Second novel from the author, it’s the story of four ladies bought together not by shoes, but by their debt.  Reviews call it fast-paced and fun!