Music Monday

This Monday I am loving me some "Love Letter" by Clairy Browne & The Bangin' Rackettes.

Let me just start by saying I am super excited about this band from the land down under! Definitely a new favorite for me! Ms. Browne's voice fills a void in me previously only reserved for the likes of the late Amy Winehouse. I am sure by now you have grown tired of hearing me go on and on about my love for 60's Soul/R&B and specifically female vocalists of that era or that resemble such, so without further ado I give you the incredibly talented ensemble that is Clairy Browne & The Bangin' Rackettes:

Btw, if the song sounds familiar, it may be due to a Heineken commercial that recently featured the band and the song. This is actually where the hubby first heard/saw them, but didn't even realize they were an actual band.

Oh

, and if you're really digging their sound and are wondering when and where you can catch them live, be prepared to get beyond excited because they are actually on tour right now in the U.S.!  Their official website www.clairybrowne.com has the rest of their tour dates.

Hope everyone has a fabulous week!

-Lesli

My pick for this week is a band I've been digging for some time now.
Unfortunately, there isn't a video for my favorite song, so we'll just make do with audio.
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Fleet Foxes!

Happy Monday to all!

Music Monday

Today I am incredibly excited to share with you all my pick. 

Mainly because it's from a band that both Lesli and I adore, and have had the privilege of seeing.

 That being said, today's pick is Austra's brand new single Home.

If you've never heard of this band, please do yourself a favor and listen to some of their other songs. They're amazing. Lesli and I discovered this band, each on our own, and were SO excited when we found out we both liked them. We agree that their dark Synth-Pop paired with Katie Stelmanis classically trained voice is the most stunning combination. And not to mention that hearing her sing live is simply breathtaking! That's why we are eagerly awaiting their new album, but until then, we'll make due with the singles! :D

I hope you all have a swell Monday!

-Michelle

So, I know the Black Keys are currently all the rave and not that it matters and I know this is going to be such a hipster thing to say, but I really did like them before they were trendy. Ever since the release of Brothers I've been obsessing over their cover of Jerry Butler's "Never Give You Up". Covers are really one of those hit or miss kind of things for me, and I know not everyone feels the same, but I happen to think they nailed it. So my pick for this Monday is "Never Give You Up" as performed by the Black Keys. Enjoy!

Happy Monday!

-Lesli

Outfit of the Day

Fresh Spring Rolls

We realize we have been seriously slacking on our baking and dinner posts. We are terribly sorry, however recently we've been trying to really clean up our eating habits, so there have been no delicious desserts and dinners are usually quite boring. Well, I'm over it now. There's no reason healthy shouldn't be fun and exciting, right? It does take a bit more work and creativeness than just dumping a bunch of lettuce in a bowl and drowning it in dressing, but it's totally worth it.

Here is one of our fave dishes: Fresh Spring Rolls!

You would be surprised at how easy it is to make these. Best of all they allow for total customization. You can add or take out pretty much anything inside of them to make them just how you like. Honestly, the most difficult thing about these is the prep time. You need some patience to cut up all the veggies (if they're not already pre-cut), if you are using uncooked meat and/or seafood to cook that also and time cooking the noodles.

So here is what we use to make ours:

Rice Paper

Fried Tofu

Shredded Carrots

Cucumbers (peeled and thinly sliced)

Bean Sprouts

Mint

Green Onions (thinly sliced)

Vermicelli Noodles

Once your Fresh Spring Roll assembly line is formed, you basically have the hardest part out of the way. Now for the fun part, putting them together!

I normally fill a pretty large bowl with warm water, where I will be submerging the rice paper in to make them soft. This happens pretty quickly, takes about 20-30 seconds.

Once they're soft act quick, they're easier to work with while still wet. Note: be gentle as they can tear easily. Lay them out on a flat surface and smooth out. Now, assemble! I usually start out by laying down my mint leaves in the middle, they tend to stick better to the rice paper, then my tofu, then the cucumber, green onions, carrots, bean sprouts and noodles. Keep your portions small, especially if you are using more ingredients than me to help keep the roll from unraveling or tearing through the rice paper. Now you're ready to roll!

I roll mine burrito style, must be the Mexican in me. I fold one half of the rice paper over the middle, then tuck the ends in and roll to the end, all while gently tightening and shaping the roll. This is important. Trust me, a loose roll is very hard to eat, gets all over the place. 

When you've made your desired amount, eat and enjoy! Buy or whip up your favorite Thai peanut sauce or sweet and sour sauce and you're set! Yummy, fresh and healthy treat!

Music Monday

Fitz & The Tantrums: saw this band live before ever even hearing a single song of theirs. 

We all know how fond I am of 60's soul and R&B singers, especially female singers. Although the lead singer of Fitz & the Tantrums is Michael Fitzpatrick, for me the back up singer, Noelle Scaggs, steals the show. She is a insanely talented vocalist! She rocked it live! Again, I'm super into their sound sorta being a throwback to the 60's and excited that they're doing their own thing and don't really sound like anything out there right now. So, now I give you "Breaking The Chains Of Love"...

-Lesli

Ever since the day I came across Sky Ferreira's video for 'One' about two years ago, I knew she was special. Even though I didn't particularly like that song, I liker her. I really even know why, but I think she's really pretty(in that hot mess kind of way). Recently I've decided to give her music a second try, and luckily I liked a couple songs. 'Everything is Embarrassing' is probably my favorite song of hers, although when I first found it the name weirded me out. I'm glad, however, that I didn't let that stop me!
Without further ado:

-Michelle

 Enjoy your Monday!

Re-purposed Vintage Earring Bracelet

So, if you are like us and collect vintage clothing and accessories, you well know that over the years, either because of age or carelessness, some items become damaged or lost. We have several incomplete sets of vintage earrings that have either been stranded somehow, possibly when moving or cleaning and others that are in just bad shape. Even if I no longer have the pairs, I just feel bad tossing them out because of how pretty they are. Needless to say, we were so excited when we discovered you don't have to get rid of them and you can actually give them a new life by turning them into bracelets! How sweet is that?

We just love recycling items and giving them a new life, even if it is not how they were originally intended to be used. 

Here is what is needed:

 Adhesive - (Make certain it is one that can be used for metals!)

Bracelet Blanks - (We had to look this up and suggest you do the same if you are not very jewelry savvy. They are not easy to find in stores, so our suggestion is you order online.)

Vintage Earrings - (Depending on how many blanks are on the bracelet, that is how many earrings you will need. Ours had 5 blanks, so we used 5 earrings. Also important to make sure the size of the earrings you are planning to use are similar to each other and depending on the shape of the blanks, that will be the same type of shape you will want to have in the earrings you are using. For example, for round blanks, use round earrings.) 

Next step is removing the back of the earrings, so you are left with a smooth, flat surface. We did this simply by bending the metal back and forth and pulling off with jewelry pliers. Now, simply assemble the pieces and glue on to your bracelet blanks. Allow enough dry time. Over night should be more than sufficient. Once the glue has dried, your bracelet is ready to be worn and enjoyed!

Outfit of the Day

DIY Collar Clips

DIY Collar Clips

(fun way to spruce up those collared shirts)

These bad boys were recently created by yours truly.

Let us start off by saying it is ridiculous how easy it is to make these. It was Michelle who stumbled upon this idea and being that we're big fans of collared shirts here at What's Bippin'? She was very excited to have us try to recreate it for one of our craft projects.

Here is what is needed: 

• 1 pair of vintage clip-on earrings (easily found at your nearest swap meet/flea market or thrift store) 
• 1 jewelry chain of your choice (ours were purchased for close to nothing at Wal-Mart, however they are also available at Michael's)
• glue (make certain it is a glue specifically for use on metals)

Measure how long you would like the chain connecting to each clip to be. Shorten to your desired length. On the back side of the earring, with the clip part open, glue your chain to the middle. Allow plenty of time for the glue to dry before closing clip to prevent it from being glued closed. We let ours dry over night just to be safe.

And voila! You now have ready to wear, perfectly functioning, awesome collar clips!

If there is anything we would have done different with this project, it probably would have been to choose the chain first and then the earrings. Finding a chain to match the earrings already purchased turned out to be a little trickier than expected and a bit more pricey. Other than that, it was easy and inexpensive, leaving us very satisfied with the finished products. 

FYI: These also serve as sweater clips.

Outfit of the Day

Music Monday

This Monday I'm super excited to share with you all one of my most  treasured discoveries; Widowspeak.

I  found out about this band last  year and fell in love with them the instant I heard their cover of Chris Isaac's 'Wicked Game'. The band has a page on Bandcamp.com on which I had downloaded their first album that is self-titled. I liked it a lot, which is why I'm SUPER excited to have had a listen of their new album 'Almanac'.

It's due to come out tomorrow and I can't wait to get my hands on it! If you're not familiar with them I'd definitely recommend you hear 'Harsh Realm' (my favorite song). You can also preview 'Almanac' in entirety on NPR's First Listen (CLICK HERE to do so).

Hope you all enjoy your Monday!
Michelle


When most people hear the name Amy Winehouse they automatically associate it with drugs, alcohol and a tragic death. Most people totally ignore the fact that she was a very talented individual. Of course she was troubled, but sometimes I feel that's part of what makes these type of artists work so good. It's deeper, more meaningful and more soulful. A former manager of mine once said of  her, "she has more soul in her pinky finger than Alicia Keys has in her entire body" and I happen to agree. I was a fan of Ms. Winehouse's long before her passing and continue to be, which is why my pick for today's Music Monday is "Valerie". Enjoy!

Love to all,
Lesli

Swap Meet Haul

One of our favorite past times here at "What's Bippin?" is thrifting. We love searching for hidden treasures at second hand stores and swap meets/flea markets.

Recently we took a trip down to what some say is one of the best swap meets in the country: Kobey's in San Diego. We were in search of some needed items for some of our upcoming craft projects and with not a lot of money to spend it was the perfect place.

You never know what you're going to find at the swap meet, which is part of the excitement and appeal, however, it is also the downfall. We have had our share of disappointing swap meet outings where we've left with nothing, making it a huge waste of time. And then you have days like this day, where it pays off big time! On this Saturday morning the swap meet was packed. Tons of vendors, tons of stuff! We found many goodies for close to nothing. Sure, some items were a little rough around the edges, but nothing a little T.L.C. won't fix. Cue "Waterfalls"... I kid, kid.

So, here's what we got:

Vintage Earrings

Vintage Pins & Necklace

Vintage Earrings

Vintage Bracelet

Vintage Sweater Clip

Vintage Sweater Clip

Vintage Tie Clip

Vintage Earrings

Vintage Earrings

Vintage Earrings

Vintage Earrings

Vintage Chain Necklace

Vintage Notepad

Vintage Notepad (open)

Vintage Bentley BX-3 Toy Camera

L'oreal Gorgeous  Gold, Revlon Endless Possibilities, L'oreal Silver Sparkle

The stuff we got was literally purchased at 4 different stands. We didn't even cover half of the swap meet and we would have continued to shop, except we ran out of money. I (Lesli) made a rookie mistake by not hitting up the ATM before going and only had $20 to my name. Next time, which will hopefully be soon, we will be better prepared.

Thrifting is by no means an easy job. It's dirty and grimy, but we endure in the hopes of finding something spectacular we can give new life to. 

Happy thrifting to all! And as the Hunger Games say, may the odds be ever in your favor... unless you're at a thrift store or swap meet near us, in that case, don't take the good stuff. ;)

With Love,

Lesli and Michelle

Music Monday

This Monday I am loving me some Foster the People.

They have been around for a while now. So, it's not that I just discovered the band, however I did just discover how in love I am with their song "I Would Do Anything For You".

Although, they are best known for "Pumped Up Kicks", which is also a great song, I feel that it does not accurately portray the rest of the band's work which is much more positive, up-beat and overall feel good stuff.

"I Would Do Anything For You" is sweet and simple which is exactly how a love song should be.

You can tell the composer(s) was/were in a good place when it was written.

The feeling is contagious, you just can't help but be in a good mood when you hear it.

"I said it I don't know what the plan is but you can share with me

'Cause I'll be listening here to everything you say

I won't turn away and I'll listen, open up my heart and I must say that I love you" 

Wishing one and all a lovely Monday! <3

Lesli 

I'm a bit sad this Monday because I'm sick. 
So one of the best ways I know to liven my mood is listening to music.
Therefore, the song that I chose for that is Devendra Banhart's - Santa Maria De Feira.

This song automatically transports me to a sunny day on the beach. Hope you all enjoy it as much as I do!

Happy Monday!
Michelle

Lesli's Bake Shop and Sweets

So, my very first post about baking has absolutely nothing to do with baking. This is due mainly to bad planning on my part and for which I apologize greatly. However, in order to incorporate it into my original "Bake Shop" idea, I have added "and sweets" to the title to make it work! That's what we do here at "What's Bippin?", we make it work! Did Tim Gun trademark that phrase? Hope we don't get sued.

Anyway, I am excited to feature the oh-so delicious Red Velvet Hot Chocolate with Cream Cheese Whipped Cream! A nice twist on traditional hot cocoa and perfect for the cold weather during these winter months. Brrrr... Besides, how can you go wrong with anything red velvet? I mean, really! And on that note, God bless the South for this creation and damn them too! They are the ones responsible for red velvet, right? 

I should start off by saying this recipe was stolen from another blog (give credit where credit is due) and you can see it HERE.

What appealed me to her version was how minimal the ingredients were (I had all but 1 ingredient already!) and how quick and easy it seemed. I've said it before, I'll say it again, the "What's Bippin?" team loves "easy"!

Ingredients:

• 4 cups
 Whole Milk

• 1 dash
 Water

• ¾ cups
 Premium Of Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips

• 1 teaspoon
 Red Food Coloring

• 1 cup
 Heavy Whipping Cream

• 1 Tablespoon
 Sugar

• 1 teaspoon
 Whipped Cream Cheese

In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat. 

Add a splash of water and the chocolate chips, constantly stirring gently. 

When almost melted, add the red food coloring paste and stir some more. 

The color should be a deep red, similar to the picture above.

 When the chocolate chips are all melted, pour the hot chocolate in four mugs and top with the whipped cream.

Preparation Instructions:

In a medium mixing bowl or a stand-up mixer, pour in heavy whipping cream and sugar. Whip on medium with the whisk attachment for 2-3 minutes. Just before it peaks, add the teaspoon of whipped cream cheese and whisk for another 2 minutes. Taste the whipped cream and add more cream cheese to taste. If you like it more tart, I’d say add another 1/2 teaspoon, just be careful to not over-whip or you’ll have butter on your hands in no time.

Following her measurements gave us about 3 full cups. You can maybe stretch 4 by not filling them up all the way, but really I would probably just suggest you add one more cup of milk, make the 3/4 cup of chocolate chips a full cup and add a bigger "splash" of water. I will most likely be trying it that way next time. Another tweak I did was top the cups off with marshmallows right be serving for an added sweetness. We piled those babies sky high and just let those calories roll... or become rolls, whatever, it's delicious, drink it up, who cares, enjoy!

Voila! Easy peezy! All you need now is a good movie, a cozy blanket and someone to snuggle close to.

Love,

Lesli

Music Monday

The What's Bippin team decided to take a holiday along with everyone else last Monday, on New Year's Eve, and unfortunately had to cancel that days Music Monday. But we are happy to announce that we are back in action! New year, new goals and very excited for our future endeavors!

Lesli:

This will be the first Music Monday of 2013! I decided to take a more inspirational route with my pick and go with Ellie Goulding's "Anything Could Happen". The English songstress made quite the splash here in the states, with her more popular hit "Lights". I felt as though when it first came out it was literally playing everywhere! I enjoy Ms. Goulding's music very much but have recently found myself really into "Anything Could Happen". A handful of people (fortunately for me, unfortunately for them) who have been in a vehicle with me while that song is playing have heard and seen the ridiculous spectacle I make while it's on. While it is embarrassing, I really can't help myself. It's so catchy and upbeat! I also feel it appropriately describes my outlook towards 2013... anything could happen!

Michelle:

Today I decided to pick something a little different from the norm, mainly because it’s in a foreign language. I chose Mallu Magalhães’ song Velha e Louca (meaning ‘Old and Crazy).
Mallu is an artist I’ve been crazy about for quite a while because she has a very different sound from a lot of the other Brazilian artists out there whom usually choose to stick with the traditional Samba/Bossa Nova sound. While she does have a Samba song or two, her main influences are Classic Rock and Folk as well as The Beatles, Belle & Sebastian, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, and other similar musical styles.

Mallu also sings and composes in English and French, so if you don’t understand Portuguese, you should definitely check out some of her other songs!

Enjoy!