100th Post

I've come out of my blogging hibernation to tell you that I will be performing in the UC Davis University Chorus this coming Friday (Dec. 4th) in Vaughn Williams' Dona Nobis Pacem. It's going to be an amazing collaboration with the Symphony Orchestra. I've been a choir girl ever since the first grade and have had some of the best experiences of my life touring with the Peninsula Girl's Chorus to New Zealand, New Orleans, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Austria, and with the Palo Alto High School Choir (a neighboring high school) to France and Spain. After all these years of great opportunities, it makes me sad that this coming performance will be my last for a long while, since my academic career is soon coming to an end.



This is my 100th post! But sadly I must go back to my hiatus... so much to do within the next week!

Hiatus

Sadly, I'll be taking a short blogging hiatus. Check back frequently though- I'll be making a full-force come back very soon.

Meanwhile, I'd love some feedback! Anything you'd like to see on The Red Topaz? E-mail me: theredtopaz@gmail.com

Thanks to anyone who has taken the time to read my blog!

Image from here.

Movie-Album-Food

In honor of Fight Club's 10th anniversary. One of my personal favorites.

Sweet Packaging

Deliciousness matched with excellent packaging presentation.


1. Consuelo Castiglioni, owner of Marni, designed these chic golden boxes for Paris' Ladurée pastries. Inside this treasure chest are eighteen maracons, each adorned with a golden leaf. Luxurious! These boxes with matching macarons will be available for the 2009 holiday season.

2. Brooklyn based Mast Brothers Chocolate pride themselves on being the only "bean to bar" chocolate makers in the Big Apple. These chocolate artisans make every bar by hand! The wrappers remind me of darling Christmas presents.

3. Gü is a UK Pastry company specializing in Belgian chocolate. This packaging is simple, sleek, and the dark chocolate souffles on the front make my mouth water. PLEASE visit the site and take in all of the incredible photography! YOU. WILL. DIE.

SF Food Wars

This past summer was the founding of SF Food Wars - an organization that hosts a series of themed cooking competitions for amateur and professional chefs alike. People who aren't as good in the kitchen (me) are invited to the Stable Cafe in the Mission to sample and judge their creations. Two competitions have already taken place- one centered around mac and cheese, and the other, mini cupcakes. A third will be held on December 6th, when the competitors will create their most comforting holiday side dishes! Tickets go on sale Monday!





Blueberry Dragon Fruit Chocolate Ganache Cakes- first place winner!

Movie-Album-Food

I've been slacking!

Stephen Wiltshire

The other day I came across this story about Stephen Wiltshire, an autistic artist who has mastered drawing and painting cityscapes from memory. Wiltshire was invited to leave his hometown of London, and come to New York to draw a panorama of the city. He drew an accurate, detailed panorama of New York on a 18x3 foot canvas after taking a brief twenty minute helicopter ride over the city. This piece can be found in London along with several other panoramas the the same magnitude. Savantism is very interesting... makes me think back to Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man.

It's hard to see pictures of Venice without getting incredibly nostalgic, but this is one of my favorites. Please visit Stephen Wiltshire's site! I recommend watching the videos.


ps- I've decided the script font I've been using is too much for post content. Stay tuned for more changes.

The Phantom Las Vegas Spectacular

Introducing...

Scarlett Johansson's Broadway Debut

Showtime's Dexter