Fashion Summit at COP15

While in Copenhagen for COP15, I went to the Fashion Summit hosted by NICE. I learned here that this industry has huge capabilities to make a difference and they are no where near where they need to be. They rely on vast amounts of water, human labor and raw material...and I would say a huge part of the industry is in a messy state. There are some initiatives happening here and there; but I foresee the industry being a big player in moving towards sustainability once they diffuse the small initiatives to the whole industry. Anyway :)

It was hosted in the Opera House, which was gorgeous!

These two girls are my good friends Steph and Jen! Yes, the same names as my sisters, crazzzzy.

I think one of these light fixtures equals my college debt.

I got to see the Crowned Princess Mary of Denmark, a beautiful opera performance and a fashion show!

Rotterdam Global Urban Summit

Before Cop15, I had made a last minute decision to go to Rotterdamn's Global Urban Summit. It was a two day conference for urban planning enthusiasts from over the world; the purpose of the conference was to co-create 'New Green Deals'. The idea of New Green Deals is a timely evolution from Roosevelts 'New Deal'; hoping to push the green agenda in cities forward, create new jobs, and plan more efficient urban environments. About half of the world's population lives in urban areas, meaning there is a huge potential for cities to be thriving sustainable hubs of human existence.

To close the conference, Jeremy Rifkin who is the President of the Foundation on Economic Trends (sounds snoozy but he is amazing) gave a spectacular speech on the communication energy revolution (also sounds iffy but its intriguing). Please pop some popcorn and watch the speech on youtube. You won't be sorry; you will laugh, you will cry, and you will get goosebumps at least 5 times.

One super rad green deal was made: VEIL, an Eco Innovation Lab based in Australia would cooperate with Rotterdam to create a new VEIL (they would most likely call it REIL for Rotterdam). In the photo below you can see I agreed to help co-create more New Green Deals. My siggy is on the lower right above 'world'!

I think I heard correctly that Rotterdam commissions graffiti art throughout the city. I could be wrong on the details, but here is a lovely piece I saw.

Rotterdam also has initiatives in place for utilizing unused storefronts for public art. This concept is flying through cities worldwide. If any city officials need help with this, INDO wants to join the ride.

One night of the conference, we enjoyed a boat tour of the very organized Rotterdam ports. These two lovely ladies sang the menu to us for each course. The whole trip was amazing, we ate well, slept well, I didn't lose my wallet, and to think I almost didn't go! However, they did serve veal which was odd for a conference focused on sustainability.

We stayed the night in Amsterdam and it was beautiful!

I got to see the red-light district.

One thing I loved was this shop that sold just cheese.

These amazing vending machines in Amsterdam are each little microwaves; you pop in money, and out pops a corn dog or pizza pocket.

I did my BFA thesis on public bicycle programs; so I was ecstatic to see the yellow bikes in action around Amsterdam! So far Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Karlskrona and Copenhagen and 50% more bicycle friendly than my hometown Chicago. We have got some work to do!

I recommend seeing these cities. I wish Josh could have been with me for this little trip. Rotterdam is super cool, filled with innovation and a big arts scene. Amsterdam is just breathtaking.

new years day

new years day breakfast(more of a brunch), arguably the most important meal of the year. crystal went for the gold with a frittata loosely based on alton browns recipe, with whiskey cheddar, red onion, garlic and sundried tomatoes.

first dinner of 2010.

i made us a top notch meal of baked fries and mussels via a recipe from smitten kitchen. and of course in keeping with my southern roots some dirty black eyed peas, which i don't really have a recipe for, but they include rosemary, sage, garlic, onion and green bell peppers, throw everything together and cook, kind of.

pommes frites.

moules a la mariniere (from göteborg)

we're classy. (that's the black eyed peas in our coffee cups, we neglected to give them a spotlight.)

satisfied.

bröd

that's how they say bread in this crazy country.

they pronouce it bread, but all swedishey.

we made some bröd today.

we used this recipe sans spices, which is adapted from this recipe.

better than store bought.

food=love=food

Josh has been going out of his way to try to fatten me up while we are here. It's my one worst nightmares... after not seeing everyone for a year, to get off the plane and for them to not recognize me. I swear, this happens to people!

So you can understand why I have been trying to scale down his making of delicious baked goods, but the boy is unstoppable and I have finally relented to the sweet apple crisps and chocolate delicacies; not to mention the delicious soups and other random swedish experiments.

I am going to make him post his recipes soon, but in the mean time, here is a mean pierogi recipe.

Use this recipe for Dough (halve this) & this one for Filling

(For the dough I would add another kind of cheese and perhaps a bit more butter. Delicious.)

Thanksgiving with the Grovers

I miss Freddy and Bella