I moved!

Hey Everybody,

At long last, I’ve migrated this blog, “And Other Such Things” to my portfolio site.

Please update your links etc and come say hello at GaiaCornwall.com/blog

The Best Nanny Money Can Buy

Did you guys read the article “The Best Nanny Money Can Buy” in the NY Times Sunday Magazine last week? Being a former nanny of a zillion years, plus a huge fan of illustrator Jillian Tamaki, who illustrated the piece, I was intrigued to say the least.

Turns out these nannies were way outta my league:

A nanny can increase her marketability if she can help manage an art collection, draft correspondence, wash and fold 50 linens a day and help set up philanthropic events. Bonus points if she can do it all in Mandarin.

I suppose I could figure out how to do all of those things, but almost definitely not in Mandarin.

Isn’t that illustration great? (Remember when I illustrated nannies for Time Out magazine?)

Happy weekend everybody!

PS. Oh yes, this is happening tomorrow. Do you ever participate? I’m usually not up for grand symbolic gestures that ultimately feel a bit empty (–and have large corporate sponsors.) But the thought of everything going dark is just so wonderful…

image credit: Jillian Tamaki for the NY Times

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentine’s Day everybody!

Do you have fun plans for tonight? As G’s birthday is on the 12th and we usually go out for that, we skip the restaurant Valentine’s craziness and stay in. And make meatballs. I’m not totally sure why, but that’s our V-Day tradition.

Unfortunately, I’m totally sick, which is kind of sad.  G made surprised me with a sweet breakfast though, and I’m hoping to rally for board games and meatball-making later. Wish me luck.

Hope everyone has fun!

 

The photo was taken in Joshua Tree at the crazy-awesome house we stayed at during our honeymoon.  The heart was there when we arrived. 

‘Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ by Sam Cornwall

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs played a surprise benefit show in Brooklyn the other day–complete with Karen O dressed as Santa Claus himself– and my brother Sam was there to capture it for work.

Have you ever seen them live? They put on a fantastic show.

Click here for the rest of the pics.

Microwaved Gluten-Free Cake in a Mug: It worked.

Have you heard about 5 minute cake? It sounds pretend, and/or maybe a little gross when you hear it’s “baked” in a microwave. We don’t actually use our microwave that much.  I tried it a few weeks ago and it was awful. It was super dry and flavorless and parts of it were actually burnt.  However, it a fit of desperation last week, (yes: cake desperation,) I tried again.  I adapted Babble’s recipe, “5 Minute Nutella Mug Cake.”

Instead of Nutella*, which I didn’t have, I used chocolate syrup. And instead of flour, I used gluten-free cake mix.  I substituted almond milk, for milk.  All the same measurements.

Ingredients

4 tablespoons self rising flour
4 tablespoons white granulated sugar
1 egg
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
3 tablespoons Nutella
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil

Method

1. Combine all ingredients in a large coffee mug. Whisk well with a fork until smooth. Microwave on high for 1 1/2 – 3 minutes. (Time depends on microwave wattage. Mine took 1 1 /2 minutes.) Top with whipped cream and a little chocolate sauce if desired.

2. Top with whipped cream and chocolate syrup. Enjoy!

Note: Depending on the wattage of your microwave, you may have to increase cooking time.

Makes 1 very large serving.

 

My only regret is that I couldn’t get a more flattering picture of it. You don’t photo well, Mug-Cake.  Anyways, G and I agreed it was pretty awesome for practically no effort.  And I think you could split the above into two coffee cups, for two servings. Have you tried recipes like this?

 

*Has anyone else seen the latest commercials for Nutella, pitching it as a breakfast food? Wha??  

1st, Nutella has commercials?

2nd “…a hazlenut spread…with a hint of cocoa!”?  C’mon guys.

Oh that’s right, you have us figured out.

 

darn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ok apparently, I can’t stop talking about this stupid movie, but I thought you should know, I finally brought myself to watch the trailer for the original. It’s not it. Darn.

Any horror-film buffs out there? Remember any mid-80s movies featuring little grey people, possibly in a fancy house of some sort, who were really mean?

On another note, the puppets in this version are pretty sweet, no?

 

 

 

We’re Back!

After a very long radio silence, we are back!  And we are married!  And, certainly most exciting for this neck of the woods, we have a proper working camera!

Tales of weddings, diy projects, run ins with scorpions, and travel ideas will commence on Monday. Huzzah!

Enjoy the weekend, folks.

The above picture from our wedding was taken by the very talented Li Ward at Fat Orange Cat Studio.  More on her later!

Children’s Book Week!

Did you know it was Children’s Book Week?  Me either. But what fun!  You can find events in your area right here.  And the above poster of Lucy and her “pet” Squeaker, (from Children Make Terrible Pets fame,) by Peter Brown, is available here.

Yay books!

Interview over at Oh My! Handmade Goodness

Just in case you missed it, the other day Jessika from Oh My! Handmade Goodness posted an interview with me.

Her questions were:

• How did you get your start in art and illustration?
• What inspired you to start offering a portrait service?
• You have illustrated for a number of magazines, businesses & publications, what has your favorite project been so far?
• Are you a full time artist or do you juggle another job too?
• This month we are talking about business & internet ethics on OMHG, as an artist/illustrator have you had any personal experience with issues like plagiarism and copyright? How do you protect your work (if at all)?

Click right here, to check out my answers!