9 reasons you should be watching chicago fire

I don't understand why there has been so little hype for Chicago Fire. This show is fantastic. Currently it is the only show I regularly keep up with! So here are a dozen reasons you should catch up on this show before the first season ends on May 15, 2013:

1. It takes place in Chicago (my hometown)!! They actually film on location in Chicago, and the actors have been doing ride-alongs with real Chicago firefighters to get a feel for what the job is actually like.

2. It's produced by Dick Wolf. Ever heard of Law & Order? This guy does his research, and he's clearly worked hard to make Chicago Fire as realistic a show as possible. It's not only an accurate depiction of the daily goings-on in a CFD firehouse; it is also made up of the most delightful characters.

3. You will never be able to decide who your favorite character is. You will fall in love with all of them. From stubborn hothead Severite (played by Lady Gaga's boyfriend, Taylor Kinney) to baby-faced candidate Peter Mills, the group has an eclectic range of personalities. Some clash, but overall they all (miraculously at times) fit together into a family.

4. Eamonn Walker. I just found out today that he is actually British! You would never know it; he fakes a Chicago accent like a pro, and his character, Chief Boden, is one of the most badass individuals I've ever seen. He lays down the law, but is secretly a Papa Bear to the rest of the firehouse. He loves Halloween.

5. Speaking of foreigners, the dashing Lieutenant Casey is played by Australian actor (and singer) Jesse Spencer.

6. The show's two female leads (Dawson and Shay) pack a punch. The house paramedics, their job is just as intense and leads to a slew of edge-of-your-seat close calls.

7. Atli Örvarsson does the score. If you've ever seen the film Vantage Point or are a fan of Hans Zimmer (Örvarsson is part of Zimmer's production company), you'll appreciate the quality of this Icelandic composer's work.

8. Peter Mills, Dawson, and Lt. Casey. This love triangle will keep you guessing for the entire season.

9. They have a firehouse dog! Her name is "Pouch."

Last night's episode, "A Coffin That Small," was their best episode yet. It will make you bawl your eyes out, but it's truly worth it. Don't watch this episode without watching the preceding 18 episodes though! ;D They're only on season one, so it's not too late to catch up! All the episodes so far can be found on HuluPlus. Or catch new episodes Wednesdays at 10/9c on NBC.

book picks: the dog stars & delicacy

In the past week I've finished two books, which is a pretty big deal considering senior year schoolwork and the like. The reason? These were both absolutely wonderful reads, impossible to put down once opened. They are similar only in their inherent theme of tragedy and adaptation. Beyond that, they could not be more different.

The Dog Stars by Peter Heller takes place in a post-apocalyptic USA, where mankind has been practically eliminated by an outbreak of flu (or something flu-like). The protagonist Hig lives in Colorado, carrying on with no one but his dog Jasper and his crazy wilderness comrade Bangley. Bangley keeps himself sane (or semi-sane) by focusing all his efforts on fortifying the hanger they call home, while Hig tries to retain a sense of his past life by channeling his energy into fishing, farming, cooking, and scouting the perimeter in a 1956 Cessna (with Jasper as copilot). When Hig hears a broken transmission come through his radio from another airport, he decides to go beyond his plane's point of no return in search of some fragment of his old life.

The best part of this book is it surprising capacity for humor. Dark humor mostly, given the circumstances, yet I still found myself laughing out loud at some of the things that came out of Bangley's mouth. Even after Hig leaves Bangley far behind, the latter sticks with Hig in his mind's eye. The thoughts and imaginings of Hig are beautiful, heartrending, and poignantly human. In fact, what this novel ultimately seems to be about is the often unacknowledged moments that make up humanity.

Delicacy by David Foenkinos is a romance, originally French but recently released in the US in English. However, for its protagonist Natalie, it is a pseudo-apocalyptic tale. She has just become a widow in a tragically sudden accident. Young and now without her beloved husband Francois, she finds herself the object of male obsession in her office. Her (married) boss is very direct in his confessions of love for her, but Natalie has locked herself away.

In a surprisingly charming twist, it is her geeky coworker, a Swede named Markus, who finally starts to melt her aloof exterior. Apparently the book was made into a film with Audrey Tautou as Nathalie. I haven't seen it, but it's definitely on my list after reading this delightfully sweet little novel.

new beauty must-have: cc creams

Let's face it: we don't really set aside time to painstakingly apply makeup every morning. Most of us barely have enough time to grab a bite to eat before we need to be out the door! BB Creams created a sensation when they came out: they were tinted moisturizer and food for your delicate facial skin all in one, covering imperfections and even providing built-in sunscreen.

And now they're rapidly becoming obsolete. New "color control" or CC creams have hit the shelves, and these all-in-one miracle formulas are doing even more than BB creams. Not only do they provide excellent coverage (for those of us who prefer tinted moisturizer to full-face foundation, CC creams are an excellent replacement for a complex multi-product morning ritual), they also work to reverse damage to skin cells, correcting everything from wrinkles to dark spots. Over time, well-designed CC creams will reduce signs of aging and nourish your skin, making it naturally more even-toned and brighter!

Olay CC Cream comes in three shades: Fair-to-Light, Light-to-Medium, and Medium-to-Deep. It can be found in common drugstores and is probably the best bargain at $17.59.

Clinique's Moisture Surge CC Cream is the best bang for your buck. At $35, you get to choose from nine different shades (three of which are the top-selling blends from Asia, where CC creams are already a well-established product) and you get the brightening, hydrating, and protecting power of a company with years of expertise in color-correction for skin. The only downside- it hasn't been released yet!

Smashbox's Camera Ready CC Cream comes in five different shades and emphasizes dark spot correction, something that the previous two CC creams don't particularly focus on. $42 at Sephora.com.

Peter Thomas Roth's CC Cream is another fantastic choice. It comes in three shades and is formulated with an Amazon superfruit called camu camu, supposedly a vitamin C powerhouse. This one probably does the most for your skin over the long-term, fighting free radical damage and nourishing it to undo multiple signs of aging. $48 at Sephora.com.

Chanel's CC Cream is the best, but at $80 it won't come cheap. Formulated with soothing cornflower water, it evens out skintone and does wonders for skin imperfections with extended use. It also has SPF 30 and has a lightweight, airy texture.

read this book instead of 50 shades of grey: monsieur by emma becker

Eli discovered this seemingly little-known erotic novel a few months ago, and it has quickly become one of our all-time favourites. Published in France just last year by 22-year-old Emma Becker, this extremely personal autobiography has attracted little attention but deserves the reputation that 50 Shades of Grey unjustifiably earned in recent years. Not only is Miss Becker’s novel very well-written, it describes the profound sexual and emotional obsession with men that almost every young woman has gone through. We girls have all wanted someone we couldn’t have, or become involved with someone who doesn’t love us in the same way that we love them. Emma’s doomed story of passion is relatable, fascinating, and brought me to tears.

Essentially, ‘Ellie’ (Emma’s alias in the novel) becomes sexually involved with a renowned, married surgeon much older than herself after discovering a common interest in erotic literature. Ellie becomes obsessed with this man (who she never names in the book, referring to him only as Monsieur). She describes him as a drug: she spends every minute without him quivering in anticipation of their next meeting. She lives only for the simplest communication with him, even just a short text message. The rest of Ellie’s life is a pretense that will disappear and show its emptiness as soon as her mobile lights up with his name. Monsieur becomes her only reality.

‘And then Monsieur, whom I hate… magically brings me to life, blowing on the ashes of my phoenix, his velvet tones, tender and amusing, simply saying, “Good morning, Miss Becker.”’

Many women have been in a relationship similar to Ellie’s, though perhaps one not quite as drastic or taboo! Many of us have experienced that attraction, even obsession, where our world seems to revolve around another person who has absolutely no idea how involved we are. This kind of relationship advances from hatred of that person (for being oblivious), to utter addiction, to self-hatred, to depression. This is a story that cannot have a happy ending.

However, I whole-heartedly recommend this book! Not only is Monsieur extremely sexually explicit, which is always a bit of fun, but it puts together the very best of my favourite erotic novels. This story is basically the creation of Catherine Millet from Lolita. Monsieur takes The Sexual Life of Catherine M. and puts you, a modern college student, in Catherine’s place. Ellie takes you through the intimate thoughts and emotions of moving from being merely ‘sexually active’ to becoming a deeply sexual being, finding yourself in the depths of filth and sodomy, and loving it, finding it beautiful beyond expression. Monsieur describes a side of women that is almost always hidden away, that little Lolita in us that truly wants to be defiled.

Not only this, but I absolutely fell in love with Emma (Ellie) Becker. I loved her eloquence (which is beyond her age), her bravery (or perhaps stupidity), and her fragility. I was vicariously able to live the life of this daring, unashamed, doomed girl through Monsieur.

‘Sex in his arms is a playground in which nothing, absolutely nothing, is forbidden… it’s like being drunk, the sense of release so deep that I can’t find words to express it.’


You can find Monsieur at bookstores like Barnes & Noble or Amazon.com for less than $10. We highly recommend picking it up!

affordable spring 2013 fashion

Let's be honest - though we want to be fashionable, we don't want to wear the sometimes very strange styles that appear on the runways, and we definitely can't afford them! In today's post I'll mention six of this spring and summer's top trends and then list affordable, not-too-weird options for real women to consider. There's no reason why we can't wear the season's very latest fashions without looking out-of-place or spending thousands of dollars! Many of the items we list here are also timeless and will last quite a long time. The Express Minus-the-Leather Peplum Seamed Moto Jacket, in particular, is a favourite of both Eli and myself: for a little more than $100, this all-season jacket is a great investment. We both bought this faux-leather jacket from Express a couple years ago and wear it almost every day!

This season's trends include:

Express

Leather and Metal: These have been in for a while now: you certainly saw all the leather jackets and sequins in style this past year. They’re still in!! Lighter leather jackets, studs, sequins, and sparkles have carried through to spring and summer. Pairing a white or black leather jacket with a slim-fitting, studded dress for a night out in the summer will look fantastic and very sexy. On the runway: Proenza Schouler, Alexander Wang. Affordable options: Express Minus-the-Leather Peplum Seamed Moto Jacket, $118.00. Charlotte Russe Studded Shoulder Body-Con Dress, $25.99, Mossimo Ona Patent Ballet Flat, $14.99. Mango Metallic Biker Jacket, $99.99.Urban Outfitters MINKPINK Fireworks Sequin Dress, $19.99. 

H&M

Elongated silhouettes: Classically and timelessly flattering. Pencil skirts and dresses will always look beautiful on a woman, and can dress up any casual outfit. Wear a pencil skirt with a blouse or one of these dresses out shopping, to lunch, or to dinner. On the runway: Jenny Packham, Victoria Beckham. Affordable options: H&M Dress, $39.95. Topshop Organza Insert Shift Dress, $130.00. Charlotte Russe Millennium Mid-Length Pencil Skirt, $18.99. Mango Monochromatic Dress, $79.99.

Topshop

Cutouts: Whether it’s showing a little tummy, an open back, having mesh cutouts, or missing chunks all up and down a dress, this is definitely in for summer – and it’s a good thing too! Being able to show even a bit more skin always helps conquer the heat. On the runway: Victoria Beckham, Donna Karan, Roberto Cavalli, Versace. Affordable options:  Topshop Sporty Mesh Panel Dress by Boutique, $190.00. Charlotte Russe Clear Cutout Pointy Toe Pump, $30.00. Papaya Net Yoke Chiffon Blouse, $21.99. SABO Black Accomplice Dress, $46.00. Urban Outfitters Sparkle and Fade Chiffon Blocked Sweater Knit Top, $39.00.

Monochrome: Checks and stripes were brought to the forefront of recent fashion by the iconic Louis Vuitton autumn/winter collection this past year. This trend is continuing into the summer with more nautical black and white stripes on jackets, skirts, and dresses. See the Michael Kors striped suit below! On the runway: Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Oscar de la Renta, Tommy Hilfiger. Affordable options: H&M Jacket, $39.95. Topshop Stripe Jersey Blazer, $90.00. Topshop Mini Quilt Biker Jacket, $110.00. Charlotte Russe Striped Top Knit Maxi Dress $19.99. Merona Ellie Genuine Leather Cap Toe Flat, $39.99. 

Michael Kors

Boy cut: Suits, tuxedo jackets, blazers. Full-length, wide trousers, especially in white and black.  Menswear is almost always fashionable for women – the mix of the petite feminine form and sharply cut, contrasting jackets and suits is timelessly sexy. On the runway: Armani, Hermes. Affordable options: Express Minus-the-Leather Blazer, $98.00. H&M Blazer, $19.00. Mango Textured Panels Jacket, $119.99. 

Flora and Florescents: Always a springtime favourite. Light, delicate florals and brilliant florescents herald in warm weather and look fantastic next to tanned skin! On the runway: Diane von Furstenburg, Chado Ralph Rucci. Affordable options: Express Stretch Cotton Skater Dress, $27.93. H&M Dress, $24.95. Charlotte 

peanut butter and carrot doggie birthday cake

Today was my darling puppy's first birthday! He got lots of presents and, of course, a birthday cake! I found this delicious recipe online for a peanut butter and shredded carrot doggie cake from the Brown Eyed Baker. The three dogs (my two pups and their best buddy) absolutely loved the cake - especially the peanut butter frosting!

Ingredients:

1 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup natural peanut butter
1/3 cup honey
1 cup shredded or chopped carrots
1 egg

Method:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Spray an 8x4 inch loaf pan (best if you plan on cutting the cake into a bone shape!) or a 8 inch round cake pan. Whisk together the flour and baking soda, then add in the rest of the ingredients and mix until thoroughly combined. Pour batter into pan and bake for a little more than 30 minutes, until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.

Allow to cool and then flip onto a flat surface. Using a sharp knife, cut into a doggie bone shape and then frost the top with smooth peanut butter. This will make quite a decently sized cake, so it's good to share among pups or even cook in smaller portions (doggie cupcakes!).

It is human-friendly too if you want to join in the festivities, so enjoy!!

zab's top london destinations

So I am leaving for London in a little more than four months. I was just accepted into summer school at London School of Economics (my dream!) to study Finance, and I'll be living in the city for almost three weeks this August. As my dearest friend Eli keeps reminding me, it's time to start thinking of things to do and see when I'm not in class at LSE!

Of course, I have to see the usual tourist stuff. Though I usually try to keep as far away from overcrowded tourist attractions as possible, how could I possibly say that I lived in London for three weeks but never saw Buckingham Palace or Big Ben? Those are just must-dos.

Here are a few tourist-y destinations:

Buckingham Palace: where I can press my pathetic little face up against the gates and dream of being a real-life princess in a real-life palace with a real-life prince.... or, perhaps even better, dream of finding a pants-less Benedict Cumberbatch wrapped in a sheet and drinking tea...

Downing Street: equally fascinating to me but probably not as visually impressive...

Hyde Park: of course. This park is larger than the entire Principality of Monaco. Quintessentially British. I don't really have a choice. Couldn't miss it if I tried.

King's Cross Station: mostly because of Harry Potter

Big Ben, Westminster Bridge, Palace of Westminster, Houses of Parliament: I guess I can't really 'go to' Big Ben, it's kind of just something to see... These are all pretty obvious tourist stops, at least to just pass by and get that traditional view of the Thames!

Now we get to the fun stuff...

I'll be living a block or two away from Soho and I plan to spend a significant amount of time there! London's fashion and entertainment district, and previously its prostitution district. Since the 1950's Soho has been the centre of beatnik, rock, and pop culture in London. The Rolling Stones, the Sex Pistols, and Jimi Hendrix have all recorded there! It's home to London's main gay village and lots of shops and bars and clubs.

Ministry of Sound: probably London's most famous, iconic nightclub and ranked by some in the top five in the world. Apparently a must-go for nightlife in London. Also Fabric ('body-sonic' dance floor where bass comes through the floor. enough said. however, I'm not sure about the unisex toilets) and Pacha (Ibiza-based club with a stained glass ceiling and notoriously glamourous crowd).

The Eagle and Child: my nerdiness is coming out but I would be so happy if I could visit the Eagle and Child. This is the four-hundred-year-old pub that the Inklings (JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis!) met at to read and discuss their unfinished manuscripts!!!!! This has been a dream for years, ever since my dad encouraged Eli and I to form our own Inklings club when we were about fifteen....

The owner of my favourite local restaurant, a German native who went to school and lived in London for ten years, told me that I MUST go to high tea at The Dorchester. This gorgeous five-star hotel serves world-famous (it had better be, at £41 a person) afternoon tea of sandwiches, scones, and cakes.  The hotel is absolutely stunning inside.

I still remember my grandmother mentioning Harrod's when I was very young, in particular for their tea. This is London's equivalent of Macy's, and though I've been to many department stores in my life, I don't want to miss out on this one.

Tiffany & Co. on Bond Street. I just want to visit Bond Street (though I won't be able to buy a single thing) and see this absolutely gorgeous, iconic black building (since I've already been to the one in New York!).

Restaurants: Rules (London's oldest restaurant, as classic British as it gets), The Dalaunay (continental cuisine), Le Gavroche (best French), Maison Bertaux (French cafe in Soho)...

Other to-do's: ride in a black cab and on a double-decker bus; find a public call box that even remotely resembles the TARDIS and completely lose it geeking out on the sidewalk; use the Tube and a loo and a lift (which I'm pretty sure I will); and do all those other stupid things that tourists think are fascinating in the UK.

the new health food: icelandic skyr

Icelandic yogurt! What?

It's a thing. And it's quickly becoming more visible as companies like Brooklyn-based Siggi's move from specialty food stores like Whole Foods and Fresh Market to bigger general-grocer chains like Martin's on the East Coast. Skyr is the new Greek yogurt; in fact, it's even better for you than Greek yogurt. Weird thing is, skyr is actually not yogurt, at least not technically. Skyr is a strained, skim-milk (that means naturally fat-free) cheese. It's very thick and much more velvety than Greek yogurt, and is absolutely packed with protein and calcium. It's also full of those friendly probiotic bacteria we want to have cleaning out our digestive tracks.

This Nordic superfood is great with granola in a parfait, can be used to make awesome smoothies, and is also just as fantastic straight out of the container with a spoon (and perhaps a little fresh fruit on top if you feel like spoiling yourself a little further). It's also great for cooking - add it to dips or mashed potatoes for a little extra creaminess.

The coolest part is that this style of yogurt dates back to Viking-era Iceland, and up until recently couldn't be found outside of Scandinavia. Now that it's so easy to find in the U.S., we highly recommend you give it a try! It's the only kind of yogurt Zab and I eat now!