A Little Pinspiration

Well readers, I jumped on the Pinterest bandwagon. I wasn't quite sure what the big deal was at first, but I'm addicted, and I've only just begun! Like a virtual bulletin board, each pin holds a taste of inspiration, and it's all perfectly organized. So far I only have 4 board, but I'm sure I'll be adding more soon.

Readers, are you on Pinterest? I'd love it if you'd follow me! And if you need an invite, leave a comment below or shoot an email to challemann@gmail.com--I have a couple extras!

For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo.

As a certified English nerd, I'm a huge fan of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. I love the drama, the passion, and the timeless love story. Naturally, I'm super excited about the new film version set to come out in 2012. So far, I think the casting is spot on. Fresh-faced Hailee Steinfeld for the leading lady and Gossip Girl's resident bad boy, Ed Westwick, for Juliet's villainous cousin Tybalt.

Now the only question is "Wherefore art thou Romeo?" (I know, I know. I'm a huge nerd.) I'm quite curious to see who they cast. Can they do better than Leo?

Readers who would you like to see as Romeo?

An Eye for Design: Vintage Suitcases

 (Photo Credit: Emily Schuman)

I loved Cupcakes and Cashmere's retro-chic alternative to a bedside table yesterday so I scoured Etsy for the cutest vintage suitcases I could find. My favorites are pictured below. I think I might have a DIY project in my future!

 

 ($58)

($55)

 

($32)

($30)

($55)

Graduation

 

Ok, I've avoided the subject for long enough. I'm officially a college graduate. One week ago yesterday, I walked across a stage, shook Wake Forest University President Nathan Hatch's hand and received a rolled up piece of yellow paper that explained my diploma would arrive at my house in 30-60 days.

Just like that, my college career was over. The ceremony was bittersweet. Sad, mostly because I don't have a job, but happy because in just over two weeks I'm headed to New York! I won't give away all the details quite yet, but it's all very exciting.

So readers, what advice do you have? About New York, careers in journalism, life as a post-grad? I'm listening!

Taste Test Tuesday: The Grilled Cheeserie

Last Saturday, the Grilled Cheeserie sat in Centennial Park amid guitar-strumming hipsters and deafening cicadas in equal-sized crowds. A staple of Musicians Corner, the large black food truck parked mere feet away from a Ben and Jerry's cart. It was enough to inspire fear in sufferers of lactose intolerance.

But my parents and I weren't there for the music, we weren't there for the ice cream, and we most certainly weren't there for the cicada serenade. We were there to try the cheesey food truck taking Nashville by storm.

Started in November of 2010 by Crystal De Luna-Bogan and her husband Joseph Bogan, the Grilled Cheeserie is a mobile restaurant bringing its customers the best of hand-held comfort food. "I knew I had to do something I loved to make or I'd get sick of it," said chef Luna-Bogan in an interview with The Nashville Scene  last fall. "It's really good bread and really good cheese."

She's not just tooting her own horn. These sandwiches are tasty and decadent with a hint of homemade flavor. While there are several "Specialty Melts" ($7), including a clever tuna casserole melt and a traditional Croque Madame, my party and I opted to make our own. I started with a base of sourdough bread and cheddar cheese for $4. Extras like tomatoes and local Benton's bacon brought the total up to $5.50. Add a side of homemade tater tots with a smokey tomato ketchup and a cool IBC root beer, and my meal totaled just over $10.

The sandwich was gooey and rich, a grown-up version of my childhood favorite, but the real stars of the show were the tots. Crispy on the outside, hot and mushy on the inside, these fried potatoes were perfectly seasoned and paired well with the truck's homemade "Tot Sauce."

My parents ordered soup as their side ($2 for a small cup), a tomato bisque infused with smokey-bacon flavor that was perfect for dipping. I might go so far as to say I liked the sides more than the sandwich!

With active Facebook and Twitter followings, the Grilled Cheeserie uses social media as its main form of communication with fans. Daily updates inform where the truck will park for lunch and dinner, and specials are always posted as well.

Readers, has the food truck trend taken over your city? What do you think of a mobile meal?

Love Quote

 (Photo Credit)

Some words of wisdom from America's first lady of fashion:

"I've always thought of being in love as being willing to do anything for the other person -- starve to buy them bread and not mind living in Siberia with them -- and I've always thought that every minute away from them would be hell -- so looking at it that (way) I guess I'm not in love with you."

-Jacqueline Kennedy, age 17

I was Bombarded with Pornography at American Apparel

I'm the first to admit that I like American Apparel. I'm a big fan of the company's business practices, and I own several of the brand's most popular styles. However, I most certainly don't appreciate their website's use of full-frontal nudity with absolutely no warning.

I opened americanapparel.com earlier today in anticipation of the brand's newest leather clutches. As I clicked the accessories tab, I was bombarded by a photograph of towels displaying images of naked men, one of whom had his penis fully exposed.

Yes, I'm well-aware of the fact that American Apparel is known for having provocative advertising strategies. Maybe I should have known better, but I think that page should have had a warning or something. What if I had been at school? At work? In front of a child?

Am I being reasonable, or just prudish? Readers, what do you think?