Category Archives: Uncategorized

First Friday Food Truck Festival

Uncategorized July 11, 2012 Leave a comment

Trying saying that three times fast.

This past week I found myself back home in Indy and geared up for my very first  First Friday. I’d heard advertisements on the radio for the First Friday Food Truck Festival (FFFTF) and didn’t have to think twice about my dinner plans for the night. To my surprise all my friends were already planning to go, which sweetened the whole deal for me.

Located in the parking lot of the Old National Center (aka the Murat), admission was the best five dollars I’ve ever spent. There was over thirty food trucks lining the perimeter of the parking lot and corn hole games set-up in the middle. With drink stations featuring Leinenkugel and Oliver Winery ciders sprinkled throughout, this was a summer oasis if I’ve ever seen one.

Despite the insane heat of a mid-summer evening, my friends and I weren’t deterred from trying warm eats from various trucks. The twelve bottles of water we consumed might have helped our cause.  Although I’m craving to try each food truck, especially the ones I always hear raves about, it was the ones I’ve never heard of that really sparked my interest.We frequented five trucks and a popsicle stand before we called it a night. If you plan on attending future FFFTF I would suggest going with friends. It was so fun sharing various foods among the group, sharing our opinions and sampling a bigger variety of foods.

Maybe it was the combination of great company and tasty eats, but FFFTF has me anxious to get back home to Indy for future First Fridays.

Slider Station
Ate: Grandma’s Old Timer, sans mustard and onions
Tweet: @KGSliderStation
Of Note: I really wanted to try the Southern Belle Rosemary Chicken, which was served at the 2012 Superbowl Tailgate, but wasn’t braves enough to have it topped with the sweet-tart Alabama white sauce (which I’ve heard raves about).

Hoosier Fat Daddy
Ate: Tatertot Casserole (yes, you read that right) with ketchup at suggestion of the chef
Tweet: @HoosierFatDaddy
Of Note: Although they are famous for their rib tips, turkey legs, polish sausages and jerk chicken wings, my mind couldn’t get past the tatertot casserole. The display sign showing it on their menu for the night stopped me dead in my tracks. This was, by far, the best thing we tasted all night, and personally, the best thing I’ve tasted in years.

Chuck Wagon Deli
Ate: Turkey Sandwich, with my normal modifications – meats, cheese, mayo, lettuce and tomatoes only
Tweet: @ChuckWagonDeli
Of Note: Of all the food trucks we stopped at, I was most impressed with Chuck Wagon. I have a certain affinity for turkey sandwiches and this one did not disappoint. In fact, I could be one of the top five sandwiches I’ve ever tasted. Upon first bite I could tell the tomatoes were home-grown and freshly sliced and the quality ingredients that made up the rest of it made me sad I agreed to share. The next day it was all I was craving.

In a Pita
Ate: Honey Cinnamon Sugar Pita Bites & Watermelon
Tweet: @inapitaindy
Of Note: The pita chips (not pictured) were almost too hard to bite into, but the little dessert did not disappoint. The portion was large, taste delicious and my friends toted them throughout the night nibbling a bit here and there.

Mac Genie
Ate: Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese
Tweet: @MacGenieTruck
Of Note: Wow. Talk about a plethora of gourmet bites of everyone’s favorite food, this truck lived up to all the hype I’d heard about. We split this three ways, maybe five bites each, and still had enough to take home and share with the neighbors. Come sleet, snow, hail or rain, I would track down the genies through anything to enjoy their delicious, comforting goodness.

Nicey Treat
Ate: Pineapple Basil Popsicle
Tweet: @NiceyTreat
Of Note: Creative flavors, all-natural ingredients and vegan friendly options, this was the last (but definitely not least) stop on our food truck tour. Everywhere we turned people were walking by with amazing looking popsicles. Being somewhat of a popsicle connoisseur and inventor (I’m convinced I was the first to make gatorade popsicles), I was thrilled to find this cute, family ran cart and give it a whirl. My choice was based on my love of the Tiki Room at Disneyland and it did not disappoint. A nice ending to a yummy night.

Side Note:
A challenging part of being a Cincinnati newbie is the lack of information about city events. It’s tough enough to find information about the food trucks here and I’ve never heard of anything like a food truck festival taking place. If you don’t know people who know things, it’s tough to find where to eat and what to do. I’ll admit I’m probably biased about Indy being great providing the public with information about events, but it seems effortless, even for someone who doesn’t live in the city any longer. While hanging out at FFFTF, a nice man informed us about a new website and app, Do317, that provides daily activities city-wide. Genius. Cincinnati, may I please get one of these for the 513?!

Happy Memorial Day

Uncategorized May 28, 2012 Leave a comment

After a another lovely Indy 500 Sunday in Indianapolis, H and I returned home late last night and I’m ready for a day of rest. No writing, no cleaning, no workout, no nada. Just sunscreen, pool and maybe a little cooking.  Taking the time to remember and appreciate all who serve our great country. Happy Memorial Day!

What’s a VoxBox?!

Uncategorized December 13, 2011 Leave a comment

A few months ago on a day off, when I had nothing to do and the internet at my fingertips, I stumbled up Influenster. Intrigued, I browsed the website to learn that Influenster is a community of trendsetters who sometimes receive goodies which are called VoxBoxes and review the products contained in said boxes. You are selected to earn these special boxes based on how active you are on Influenster, as well as the number and type of badges you earn.

With nothing but time on my hands, I jumped right in and started earning badges. Before you know it, I received an email saying I was selected to receive a Holiday VoxBox. Flash to now when, after days of excitement and impatiently waiting, my first VoxBox arrived!

I’m excited to start using all of the goodies in the VoxBox, it’s like a treasure trove of everything a girl would want to receive in a package.  All of the products in the Holiday VoxBox are intended to be helpful to get a gal through the holiday season. In a new city ready to take on the town, I’m looking to my VoxBox products to help me make it through the holiday’s happy, healthy and in style.

For more information on how you can become an influenster click here. 

The Click of A Button

Uncategorized November 8, 2011 Leave a comment

In our household we are DVR-ing fools. Even when we are home to watch a show, we still DVR it, wait 15 minutes and then start watching the recorded version just so we can bypass the commercials. Before obtaining a roommate shortly after getting robbed, I never had cable, internet or a DVR for that matter. I’m not saying I’m not well versed in how to use a digital cable remote control, I had a fair amount of practice time at my parents house. My roommate, Katelyn, on the other hand is a digital cable remote control genius.

For starters, as I’m sure you know, it’s very easy to fast forward through commercials and by-pass them completely. The huge problem I face with this is that I always zoom right past the commercials and into the start of the show, which leads me to rewinding, which goes too far back into the commercials, which starts the cycle again. Unlike me, Katelyn has the fast forwarding precision of a genie. In the beginning she told me her trick was to just hit the fast forward button three times instead of the mach speed four I always used. Patience is key.

While I practiced my fast forwarding skills, I still couldn’t manage the same precision as Katelyn. It’s not like my hand/eye coordination is wonky, I’m a video game champion. Then one night I noticed something as Katelyn was on fast forwarding duties. She did something and all the sudden, instead of rewinding to the start of the show and risking rewinding too far, it went back just enough to the exact moment the show was starting after the commercials. No sooner did I witness this remote control magic, I sat up straight and exclaimed “What. Just. Happened?!” Katelyn looked over at me like I’d lost my mind and nonchalantly responded with “What, I just clicked the button.”

What button?! A magic button? What the heck was she talking about? Then she showed me the DVR, digital remote controls biggest secret: THE button. That grey, oval-shaped one to the left of the “My DVR” button that has the arrow pointing to the left.

Now, when I feverishly fast forward through commercials and go past when the show starts I just hit THE button and it takes the show back a few seconds to the start, just like magic. THE button also comes in handy when something amazing, such as Ryan Goslings abs, flashes across the screen and we have to go back quick to get a second glance. The pause button is usually hit shortly after when instances like that occur, but I digress.

[One of those instances mentioned above]

Now, with just a click of a button, all DVR digital remote control problems are solved. You’re welcome. (And by “You’re welcome” I really mean “Thank you, Katelyn!)

How Much is That Kitty in the Polaroid?

Uncategorized August 10, 2011 Leave a comment

The good news is he’s free. Free ninety-nine. $0.00.

Readers meet Bitty.

Bitty is a healthy and happy seven year old kitty looking for a loving home. When he got wind that I was packing up and leaving Pittsburgh he asked if he could join. Problem is I’m allergic and can’t take him with me. Other problem is his one year old baby brother is also allergic so he needs to find a new family to love him just as much.

His interests include using his littler box like a good boy, batting his eyes for treats, reading the newspaper (see above) and cuddling.

Bitty will travel a good distance for the right person, love knows no bounds. He also gets along great with other pets, like his Boston Bulldog brother, Dallas.

Interested in welcoming Bitty into your family? Let’s chat about it!

Oblivs Obessions: Birfday Necessities

Uncategorized August 5, 2011 Comments: 2

There comes a day once a year that all of us get to celebrate being ourselves. I’ve never really understood those people who hate to have a fuss made about their birthdays or even refuse to acknowledge them. Then again since the ripe age of about seven I’ve started planning my birthday festivities months in advance (much to my mom’s dismay). This is the one day a year you can indulge in champagne and cupcakes, accessorize like a Disney princess and dance to Fleetwood Mac until the sun comes up. Birthdays are like our very own personalized holiday so why not have full-fledged celebration?

[A bottle (or several) of Veuve Clicquot]

[Sushi cupcakes from by my friends at Vanilla Pastry Studio]

[An assortment of fresh & colorful gladiolus]

[Festive themed cocktail napkins]

[And a birthday bracelet to add to my wish list]

It’s Roasting Time

Uncategorized August 3, 2011 Comments: 2

While I hope the title of this post didn’t mislead you into thinking it was about the weather most of us in the United States are experiencing, I’ll be the first to admit when I hear the word roasted I want to run and put my head in the ice box. Alas, this is not about the feeling you get when you get into your car after it’s been sitting in the sun all day, it’s about my current food obsession de jour: Ricotta and Roasted Red Pepper Frittata.

The idea of unique brunch menu items fascinate me. I’m always on the hunt for something new to enjoy with champagne around noon on Sundays. And for whatever reason the word frittata intrigues me, probably because it’s so fun to say. Go ahead, try it. Fri-tta-ta! Although I’m a little skeptical on recipes that include onions or peppers, the ricotta cheese and egg whites had me at hello with this particular recipe.

   

  

While the recipe looks like it might be tough at first, I assure you that if I can successfully pull it off you can too. There are a few things to keep in mind during your preparations: While shopping for your ingredients look for a section that has fresh herbs, away from the greens where one usually finds basil. In my grocery there is a magical kingdom next to the organic veggies that has dozens of fresh herbs. It took me twenty-seven minutes to locate it. A heads up would’ve been nice.

Also, one would think that since the word roasted is in the title of the recipe that I would pay a wee bit more attention to that particular ingredient. In fact, I thought the pepper would get roasted while it cooked in the oven in the dish. You know what you need to roast a red pepper (besides a red pepper)? Patience. Lots and lots of patience. If your logic is anything like mine, you can’t just peel a pepper (say that three times fast). You, in fact, have to roast it for the skin to peel easily.

  

Roasting is easier than it seems. Turn your oven to five hundred degrees on broil mode, not bake mode, and place an oven rack on the highest slot possible. When the oven is pre-heated put your pepper in and wait. For a long time. Until it is black on the skin. While traditional roasting instructions say to put the whole pepper in and turn when one side is done, I had already cut and gutted my pepper so I put both halves in side-by-side and it worked perfectly.

    

Roasted Red Pepper and Ricotta Frittata

Ingredients:
1⁄2 cup grated pecorino
2 tbsp. roughly chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves
1 1⁄2 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. chopped fresh oregano
8 eggs, beaten
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 large yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced
1 small waxy potato, peeled and sliced into 1⁄8″ rounds
1 red bell pepper, roasted, peeled, and cut into 1⁄4″ strips
3⁄4 cup homemade or store-bought ricotta

Instructions:
1. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 425°. In a large bowl, whisk together 1⁄4 cup of the pecorino, parsley, 1⁄2 tsp. of the salt, oregano, and eggs and season with black pepper. Set egg mixture aside.

2. Heat the oil in a 10″ non-stick oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the remaining salt, onions, and potatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and soft, about 20 minutes.

3. Remove skillet from heat. Add the egg mixture to the skillet and stir to distribute the onions and potatoes evenly. Scatter the peppers over the top, spoon the ricotta over the mixture in 6 dollops, and sprinkle with the remaining pecorino. Bake until lightly browned and the center is set, about 15 minutes. Run a rubber spatula around the edges of the frittata to loosen it. Slide the frittata onto a serving plate. Season with more black pepper, if you like.

What I Got

Uncategorized August 2, 2011 Leave a comment

You may have noticed, but I took an impromptu vacation. Sorry about the no warning, sometimes a girl just has to get away. And although I might not have actually gone anywhere, I left Oblivialand for the week. I’m back and have big news. I’m moving. Fourth city in five years.

[From this City]

[To that City]

Somewhere in between finding an new apartment and all of the other chaos that whirlwind’s around planning a move this happened:

[Kaillou hung out in the sink for a solid 10 minutes while pDid snacked on chips]

And after a week long absence, that’s what I got.

Mixtape Monday: Family Reunion Jams

Uncategorized July 25, 2011 Leave a comment

Let me be the first to admit that I might have gone slightly overboard with the amount of songs on this weeks Mixtape Monday. What can I say, my family is gearing up for a reunion and we are one huge family. As in, I’m the oldest of twenty cousins. When you have a family as large as ours you need a diverse mix of music to keep the fun going.

Although we are from Southern California, the reunion is going down in Florida. Trying to stay true to our roots, I incorporated several songs that remind me of growing up and spending time with my family at both our pool and the many beautiful beaches we always enjoyed. To round out the playlist I sprinkled in some Dr. Dre, Snoop and Sublime, among otheres. What sort of self respecting SoCal girl would compile a playlist without some of her hometown favorites to the mix?

Family Reunion Jams

Hella Good – No Doubt
Sussudio – Phil Collins
California Gurls – Katy Perry
 Catch A Wave – The Beach Boys
Love You Long Time – The Black Eyed Peas
Faith – George Michael
The Only One – The Black Keys
The Tide is High – Blondie*
What I Got – Sublime
Cousins – Vampire Weekend
Real Wild Child – Iggy Pop
Nuthin But a G Thang – Dr. Dre feat. Snoop
Forever Young – Rod Stewart
California Soul – Marlena Shaw & Ya
Free Fallin’ – Tom Petty
D’yer Mak’er – Led Zeppelin
Soul to Squeeze – Red Hot Chili Peppers
 Go Your Own Way – Fleetwood Mac
Rodeo Clowns – Jack Johnson
Shower the People – James Taylor
Desperado – The Eagles
Family Business – Kanye West
Manhattan – Kings of Leon
All Night Long – Lionel Richie
Champagne Supernova – Oasis
Hear You Me – Jimmy Eat World
(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding
Dog Days Are Over – Florence + the Machine

To download playlist from iTunes click here.
(Download track 12 for free here!)
Top image via. Bottom image via.

Oblivs Obsessions: Ring-a-Ding-Ding

Uncategorized July 22, 2011 Leave a comment

For whatever reason I’m mildly obsessed with rings, specifically gold rings. I’m on a constant hunt for one that is not too big and not too small. One that is just right. Sort of like the Goldilocks of accessories. I blame my ring problems on two things: the rising cost of real gold and my abnormally thin fingers.

Luckily with a little help from Forever 21 and clear nail polish (to coat the inside of the ring with so it doesn’t leave a green line), I’m able to purchase three dollar replicas of the rings I lust after. And if money was as plenty as water I would scoop these rings up in a heartbeat.


[Paloma's Marrakesh Ring]
Tiffany & Co., $1,600

[Ileana Makri Rose Gold & Blue Pave Sapphire Ring]
net-a-porter.com, $4,530

[Elizabeth & James Talon Black Sapphire Bypass Ring]
Nordstrom, $125

[11MM Black Onyx Infinity Ring]
David Yurman, $2,600

[Zoe Eternity Band]
Barney’s New York, $5,400

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