Jonathan Adler for $35

The Shop Better Here blog found this Jonathan Adler set at a local Bed, Bath and Beyond for $34.99! The graphic dinnerware set includes 11" dinner plates, 8" salad/dessert plates, 6" soup/cereal bowls, and mugs. Hurry, because SBH says there were only about 15 sets left!

Bed Bath & Beyond, 9100 N Central Expy, Dallas, 214-750-3604

Winter Sale at William Sonoma: Up to 60% Off

William Sonoma is having a Winter sale with up to 60% off select items, including this Stag Tureen, formerly $179, now $119.99.

If you're not on a crash diet, their Sephra Chocolate Fountain is now $38.99.

Subdivided: My Review

I watched Dean Terry's documentary, "Subdivided," last night. The film took a look at the effect of urban sprawl on society, focusing on the East Dallas neighborhood of Little Forrest Hills, which maintains an amazing sense of community in a world where most of us never even speak to our neighbors.

The film made some excellent points about the negative aspects of our sprawling cities, like isolation from our friends and neighbors, increased commutes, and increased frustration. According to Terry, every 10 minutes we add to our commute decreases time spent in social activities like family dinners and parties by 10%.

Unfortunately, instead of exploring solutions to these problems that could be implemented by city planners, neighborhood associations, or residents, Terry spent too much of the documentary interviewing zealously anti-suburban Little Forrest Hills residents about the ills of Plano, which I felt took away some of the film's credibility. Overall, I would recommend catching the documentary when it re-airs, even though that's going to be this Saturday at 3 am.

Subdivided: Documentary on Urban Sprawl Airs Tonight

Dean Terry's documentary "Subdivided," which focuses on suburban sprawl, isolation, and community, airs tonight at 8 pm on the Dallas PBS station, KERA. The film features footage of Dallas, as Terry is a professor at UTD. According to the D Home blog, Robert Wilonsky at the Observer, called the documentary, "absolutely beautiful."

Recipe: Turkish Toast with Egg, Dill and Feta

This is a very simple recipe that I have been served for lunch and that I have made as breakfast and as a light dinner. It's basically a Turkish take on a savory French Toast.

Ingredients:

4 1-inch thick slices of French bread
2 Eggs
2 tablespoons milk
Salt and pepper to taste
1 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
1/4 cup mild feta (use French feta if available), crumbled
2 tablespoons mozzarella, shredded
Cooking spray or butter

Pre-heat the oven to 300 degrees. At the same time, pre-heat a non-stick skillet on medium-low to medium heat.

Combine the eggs, milk, salt, pepper, and 1.5 tablespoons of the chopped dill in a large measuring cup and whisk lightly with a fork. Pour the egg mixture into a shallow dish.

Coat the heated skillet with cooking spray or butter. Dredge each piece of bread in the egg mixture, turning to coat, and place into the skillet. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until bread is golden brown on both sides.

Transfer the bread slices to a small baking dish. Top each slice with 1 tablespoon crumbled feta, 1/2 tablespoon shredded mozzarella, and a pinch of the reserved chopped dill. Place into a baking dish coated with cooking spray and bake at 300 degrees for 10 minutes, or until bread is crisp and cheese is brown.

Wood Rug from West Elm

Wood block rug made of ebony, $599.99 for the 8'x10' at West Elm. A great solution for a carpeted or concrete floor that you don't want to spend the money to redo with hardwood.