Having been down South in the past, I always got myself some good home-cooked Soul Food. But as you know, you can’t eat like this everyday, so here are some healthy recipes that you can do at home from The Sweetest Vegan.
Hungry for Recipes: Vegan Meals Southern Style!
July 6, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Hand Drawn London Map by Jenni Sparks
June 28, 2012 by Leave a Comment
I like to draw, well, more like doodling in my notebook. But this is too insane – a hand drawn map of London. Really, this is hand drawn!
Image via Jenni Sparks
Illustrator/artist Jenni Sparks spent 2 months and over 100 hours drawing the city. What’s cool about this map is it does not highlight the tourist traps, but showcases landmarks, pubs, neighborhoods, local stores, and other cool places in London.
Hungry for Recipes: Tasty Summer Dishes from Sorted
June 25, 2012 by 2 Comments
Of course summer is about grilling meats, but if you want a tasty and healthy meal that will keep the doctor away, check out this vegetarian bean burger from Sorted:
Spider-Man x Long John Silvers
June 25, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Long John Silver’s in Singapore kicks-off their Spider-Man movie tie-in with these “marvelicious” dishes. There is the Honey BBQ Chicken-Slinger with Webby Fries or Lime Mayo Seafood Web-Shooter with Webby Fries.
Frankie’s Garage: Stonehenge Made with Škoda Cars
June 22, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Inventive PR campaign by Škoda, since they’re launching their new car the Citigo in the UK. “Citihenge” by Škoda is a recreation of Stonehenge.
Louis Vuitton and The Art of Packing
June 21, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Louis Vuitton has updated their website with a section that gives tips and tricks on how to efficiently pack your luggage so your items stay crisp and pristine during your travels while maximizing space. These tips are universal and terribly useful as they can be used in any sort of luggage situation. Whether you’re just doing a quick trip with an overnight bag, only have a carry-on bag, or even a suitcase, your collared shirts, dresses, jackets, and pants will stay wrinkle-free. No muss no fuss.
Drink: Home Microbrewery Kit
June 20, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Make your own beer at home with this Mr Beer Deluxe Home Microbrewery Kit. This kit will have everything you need to make beer – instruction book, keg, beer mix, yeast, and more. The beer will be ready in about 14 days and the keg can make twenty 12oz beers.
UNIQLO x Coca-Cola = 2012 Theme Contest
June 18, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Themed designed by Karrie Lee, Hong Kong – UTGP 2012 Coca-Cola Contest.
I love Uniqlo and can’t wait until they open their store here in San Francisco, but for now I’ll just read and buy their stuff on the internet. Recently, they held a design contest and they have just announced the winner. This year’s contest Uniqlo was looking for the best Coca Cola themed design. The winner was from Hong Kong, designer Karrie Lee. Big kudos for a fresh take.
Interview with Luke Chueh
June 13, 2012 by 2 Comments
Here at Retrenders I had the pleasure of interviewing Luke about his just released book, The Art of Luke Chueh – Bearing the Unbearable published by Titan Books, and got to know a little more of the painter and graphic designer.
RTNDR: I see this book is a great collection of your paintings, acrylic statues, and even showing your skateboard art, but we know you have an amazing collection of vinyl work. Will we see a book highlighting your vinyl art?
LUKE: I think creating a book of my 3-D work would be a great idea. Maybe in couple years after I’ve built up a large enough portfolio.
RTNDR: How would you categorize or characterize your art or should we even categorize art?
LUKE: Years ago, I used to spend time thinking of new names for the genre of my art. I always felt “Lowbrow” had demeaning connotations and “Pop Surreal” only told a part of the story. Word combinations like “Post Brow”, “Idealized Art”, or “Contemptorary” became labels I threw around. But lately I’ve sort of “come to terms” with Lowbrow & Pop Surrealism. To dismiss these would be to dismiss the artists whose work inspired label, and if fans and critics consider my art to be of the genre, then whom am I to tell them they’re wrong? But to be completely honest, I would prefer having my work simply recognized as “contemporary art” (ie. Art that is characteristic of the present).
The Art of Luke Cheuh: Bearing the Unbearable
June 12, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The Art of Luke Chueh – Bearing the Unbearable, published by Titan Books, depicts Luke’s signature artworks and details his career and the steps he took to reach where he is today. Both symbolic and literal subjects are scattered throughout this published work of art.
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” By Stephen Chbosky
June 8, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Stephen Chbosky’s inspiration in writing this story came from one his own favorite books, The Catcher in the Rye. Most of us that have attended a public school in the U.S. must have read, or at least, has heard about J.D. Salinger’s most famous work of literature. The Perks of Being a Wallflower follows loyally to the coming-of-age storyline from the point of view of Charlie, an awkward but intelligent freshman in high school, trying hard to grow up and fit in. He meets two friends, Sam and Patrick, who help him find his place in high school. Charlie decides to write to an anonymous friend to detail the important events in his life. His writing is hilarious, sad, hopeful, and he impels us to think about why we choose the choices we make everyday. The book also deals with drugs, sex, homosexuality, dysfunctional families, and all the other challenges life throws at us along the way. Charlie teaches us that life is a struggle but it’s also worth living every minute.
Cupcakes for the Brain
June 7, 2012 by Leave a Comment
I can honestly tell you I cannot stomach to eat this. It looks too real and yucky, even if it is cupcakes.
I’m a cannibal! Photo from I Heart Chaos.
Check out I Heart Chaos.
The Modern Mix-Tape … Totally 80s-inspired!
June 5, 2012 by 3 Comments
If you’re looking for a little retro activity in your modern life, try the ol’ school (albeit, with new school equipment!) mix-tape/CD!
I have never been a stranger to music…especially that which is inspired by that beloved era! So, I recently started grouping different tracks on good ol’ iTunes and cranking out some serious mixes (Soul Sounds, Passion Plays, Calming Classical)…and, now, Electronic Drive!
After viewing the sleek, sexy, soon-to-be-cult-classic, Drive, directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, I felt compelled to revert to my music-compiling days….totally 80s-inspired-like!
Photo by FilmDistrict- © 2011- All Rights Reserved
Now, gone (I think) are the days of dual cassette players and cassette tapes. But, with summer around the corner, what better “I love you, man” gift is better than a CD chock full of choice hits?
“Nightcall” – Kavinsky (feat. Lovefoxxx)
“Under Your Spell” – Desire
Spotlight #3: SF Carnaval 2012
June 5, 2012 by 2 Comments
The sights and sounds of Carnaval came alive in the City’s Mission District!
Host, Al Morales, headed to the 34th annual SF Carnaval 2012 parade to take in the cultural and musical milieu that is one of the City’s biggest celebrations.
Retrenders highlights the infectious rhythms and colorful tapestries that characterize this worldwide celebration and that symbolize the cultural diversity of the Bay Area.
Gaultier’s Passion for Fashion
June 2, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The De Young Museum plays host to “The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk” until August 19. This fabulous exhibit highlights Gaultier’s haute couture and prêt-à-porter designs created between the mid-1970s and 2010.
Burger King Burger with Truffles!
June 1, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Only in Asia where American fast food restaurants like KFC, McDonald’s, and Wendy’s have a far more creative menu than here in the states. Burger King is lagging behind the likes of McDonald’s and KFC in terms of sales and stores in Asia, so BK is launching the BK Truffles Burger.
Drink: A Refreshing Drink – Beergarita
May 25, 2012 by 2 Comments
Okay, I got ahead start on my Memorial Day weekend. Last night I met up with some friends at a Mexican restaurant in Porterville, California, called El Tapatio. I really needed a drink that would beat the heat, so I had what they called a beergarita. Nothing new here but it’s new to me…
Ingredients for the Beergarita/Beer-rita
- 6.4 oz Coronita or 11 oz Corona bottles if you can’t find the Coronita size.
- 8 oz Tequila Blanco… or a bit more if you prefer, like myself.
- 1 can Frozen Limeade Concentrate
- 8 wedges Lime
- 1/2 Cup Salt
- 15 cubes Ice
Let the frozen limeade defrost on kitchen counter for approximately 5 min to soften. Open and pour limeade into 2 qt pitcher. Fill limeade can with 8 oz Tequila and pour into pitcher. Stir Tequila and limeade until thoroughly mixed. Slowly pour 24 oz of beer. Let the foam from the beer subside and add enough ice to fill the pitcher. Slowly mix ingredients and serve over ice.
Find The Perfect (or, at least, “cool”) Gift For Dad!!
May 24, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Father’s Day is around the corner!
Looking for a special gift that makes Dad’s eye’s light up with that Dude, that’s sooo cool look?
Well, here are a few of such gifts that might just do the trick….and, if not, maybe the ol’ man will pass them down to you….PRONTO!
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This is an old school way to get Pops to embrace his new school iPod!
Dad’s updated headphone from 1965!
Marshal headphones: $99.95
Vapur Element
May 24, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Like all weekend warriors we try to drink as much water as possible when working out. I usually just buy a case of bottle water or just refill my used Crystal Geyser bottle. Yes, that’s gross and not healthy. I found the eco-friendly solution. The Vapur Element is a foldable plastic bottle, BPA free and dishwasher safe.
FanimeCon 2012 – Memorial Day Weekend
May 23, 2012 by Leave a Comment
This Memorial Day weekend, NorCal will hold one its longest running anime conventions in the Bay Area – FanimeCon 2012:
What: FanimeCon 2012
Where: San Jose Convention Center, San Jose, CA
When: May 25-28, 2012
For more information, check out: FanimeCon.com.
See ya’ there!
“The Great Gatsby” Movie Trailer
May 22, 2012 by Leave a Comment
“The Great Gatsby” is terribly near and dear to my heart. It’s quiet, repressed, and introspective nature was beautifully contrasted against the brassy Jazz Age. The trailer looks grand and as lavish as any other Baz Luhrman film, but I don’t know, I’m a little conflicted. The trailer is too fast and focused on the glamorous aspect of Gatsby’s life and is devoid of genuine emotion and complexity. But then again, it’s just a trailer and Baz Luhrman has never been interested in sticking to original source material anyways. But still, what was up with the music choice for the trailer? Talk about awkward.
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By Contributing Blogger: M. Do.
The Champagne Mojito by Young Grasshopper
May 21, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Champagne Mojitos are yummy! I wished I saw this recipe sooner to share with all the Retrenders followers out there for Mother’s Day but there is nothing wrong with a makeup drink with mom, unless you’re under 21 of course.
Recipe:
1 & 1/2 oz. white rum
1 oz Simple Syrup
8 mint leaves
1 key lime quartered {or 1/2 regular in eighths}
2 strawberries sliced {1 for garnish}
Brut Champagne
For more info on this delicious beverage, go to: Young Grasshopper – The Champagne Mojito.
The other concoction: Food & Style – Raspberry Champagne Mojito.
Drink: A Taste of Tequila
May 18, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Now I don’t claim to be a professional tequila drinker, but when it came to sipping tequila out of a snifter at my friend Pedro’s house warming party, I was a bit taken by the smoothness, the sensual sting and the light taste of oak from a brand, that I wasn’t too familiar with, called Galindo Reposado. Not too many people’s taste buds can detect this, but if you can, you’ve just tasted something organically created for drinking, not shooting my friend.
Drink: Pedrini Press ‘N Pour Cocktail Shaker
May 18, 2012 by Leave a Comment
You don’t have to be a skilled bartender mixing drinks with this Pedrini device. The Pedrini Press ‘N Pour Cocktail Shaker will aid you in mixing and pouring.
Bodum Bistro Pour Over Coffee Machine
May 18, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Okay, I am a caffeine addict and I need my daily dose of coffee. If you like French-press style with that frothy taste, then check out Bodum’s Bistro Pour Over Coffee Machine. The cool thing is no more wasting time boiling water with the Bistro’s automatic drip.
MSRP: $249.99USD
For more info, check out: Bodum USA.
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