A Fun Way to Enlighten You About One of My Favorite People

    Madame Noise is interested in many things, not just fashion and food. One of my favorite people has nothing to do with either, but it sure is fun to learn new things, at any age!
    Nikola Tesla was a Serbian American scientist/inventor who contributed more to the way we live now than anybody born after the 1950's. A life long feud with his former boss Thomas Edison caused him to die penniless in a New York hotel room, surrounded only by pigeons.
     The following link sheds some hilarious insight into the life of who should be considered the world's greatest inventor. Through humor you might find that many things you thought were wrong, and that you owe some serious thanks to the man who harnessed the power of electricity.
 Follow this link: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/tesla

What Guys Think: 9 Outfits You Should Never (Ever) Wear on a Date

Ladies, have you ever been at a loss as to what to wear to a first date? It's always important to know the place and time of the date so you can dress accordingly. It's also important to know that first impressions are often the strongest, and a wacky, inappropriate outfit might be detracting from the amazing person behind it. This article from MSN Living (2/28/2012) talks about disaster outfits worn by girls on first dates from the eyes of the guy who actually had to sit through it. Insightful, delightful, and hilarious!

9 Outfits You Should Never (Ever) Wear on a Date

Upcoming Updates of Upness

Hello all!

     I apologize for not posting all the Megacon pics and stories yet. I've been having some technical difficulties, including the layout changing up on me. I will work on it all afternoon so you can all see yourselves!

    Thank you for understanding.

     Keep up the good Noise!

The Way to Go: 95-year-old Fashionista Dies at New York Fashion Week

Zelda Kaplan, photographed minutes before passing
away at a fashion show. Image source:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/46413570#.Tz-MFc1EGFY

Talk about a good way to go.

      According to Today.com, Zelda Kaplan, a 95-year-old style icon and party girl passed away at the Joanna Mastroianni Fashion Show Wednesday in New York. The socialite posed for pictures in the front row of the fashion show just minutes before slumping forward in her seat. She was taken to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead, after attempting to revive her several times. Kaplan was a regular in the city’s fashion and club scene, often partying with celebrities 70 plus years younger.

      Kaplan lived a fun-filled life, rubbing elbows with designers and celebrities alike. She had an incredible journey from housewife to fashionista that is recorded in a 2003 documentary titled “Her Name is Zelda.” She is an example of a life lived passionately, full of fun and fashion. She died peacefully in style, doing what she loved and being who she wanted to be, and may we all be so lucky.

To read the full article, follow this link: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/46413570#.Tz-MFc1EGFY

Polish Your Fashion Skills on Your Down Time

Let’s face it: we are always looking forward to some well-deserved down time. We want to spend time by ourselves, or with friends and family to unwind from the stresses of our busy lives. We may not always have time to squeeze in a vacation, but there’s always time to read a good book.

 I believe that an hour a day of free time is enough to read a couple of pages of a good book, and why not make that a fashion book? There are many fun, fashion-related reads out there that cover anything from frugal shopping, to designer bios, to style tips, to fashion fiction. This aids in relaxing the body while keeping the mind active and healthy, as well as keep our fashion skills as sharp as possible.

Here are 3 books that could be added to your library to curb your fashion savvy, relax your body, and expand your mind:

The Sartorialist, by Scott Schuman

The Little Black Book of Style, by Nina Garcia

 Alexander McQueen, Savage Beauty, by Andrew Bolton

Today's Recipe: Pretzel Shortbread Bars

     These delicious cookies/bars are easy and quick to make and make great gifts!  The recipe and picture come to us thanks to the geniuses at Martha Stewart's kitchens (www.marthastewart.com).




Pretzel Shortbread Bars:

Ingredients:

• Vegetable oil cooking spray
• 3 1/4 cups salted miniature twist pretzels
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 large egg yolk

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Coat a 4 14-by-13 1/2-inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom with cooking spray. Line bottom with parchment.
2. Pulse 1 3/4 cups pretzels in a food processor until powdery. Transfer 1/2 cup to a bowl; discard any remaining pretzel powder. Stir in flour and baking powder. Transfer remaining 1 1/2 cups pretzels to food processor, and pulse a few times until coarsely chopped.
3. Beat butter and sugar with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Reduce speed to low, and beat in egg yolk, then pretzel-flour mixture, until combined. Mix in 1/2 cup chopped pretzels.
4. Press dough evenly into pan. Top dough with 1/4 cup chopped pretzels, pressing slightly; discard any remaining pretzels.
5. Bake shortbread until pale brown and firm in the center, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack, and let shortbread cool for 1 hour. Remove shortbread from pan, and cut into 1/2-inch-wide rectangles using a serrated knife.
   
   
   Tip:
   Try baking these in greased muffin tins for perfectly round bites! Also, try adding your favorite dried fruit to the mix for an added sweet and gooey kick.

Today's recipe: Asian Banh Mi Bi Sandwiches

  This recipe comes from The Hard Rock Cafe in Hollywood, FL. This delicious pulled pork sandwich cannot be found on their regular menu. It is a delicious creation that is reserved for special events. The best part of all? Every part of this recipe can be used separately as well. Make some Noise in the kitchen! Enjoy!

ASIAN BANH MI BI SANDWICHES

Photo by: Alicia Mazzara

http://mobile.dcist.com/2009/04/first_look_pho_14.php?gallery0Pic=1

Ingredients:

Sub Rolls (pick your favorite!)                                  
5 oz unsauced Pulled Pork Meat 

2 oz Asian BBQ sauce*                                                       
1/4 cup Cucumber Salad*

1/4 cup Marinated Carrots*                                               
2 tbsp Sriracha Mayonnaise

1tbsp chopped Cilantro                                                                             
1 tbsp Basil

For Asian BBQ Sauce:

2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil                                                      
2 tbsp grated Ginger

3/4 cup Hoisin Sauce                                                                      
1/4 cup Soy Sauce

1 tsp Salt                                                                                         
1 tbsp Sesame Oil

3/4 cup pureed Yellow Onions                                                              
1 cup Ketchup

1/4 cup Rice Vinegar                                                             
1/2 tsp Asian Five Spice

     Puree onions and reserve. Place the oils in a sauce pan over medium heat. Heat until they lightly smoke. Add onion and ginger and saute for 3 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and stir with a wire whip. Bring to a slow simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and serve.


For Cucumber Salad:
2 cups Cucumber Slices                                              
1/2 cup julienned Red Peppers
1/2 cup Onions                                      
1/2 tsp chopped Jalapeno Pepper (optional)
2 tbsp chopped Cilantro                                
1/4 cup Sesame Dressing (store bought)
     Cut cucumber into half moons and place in a mixing bowl. Add red pepper strips, onion, jalapenos, and cilantro into mixing bowl. Add sesame dressing and toss.


For Marinated Carrots:
2 cups Matchstick Carrots                                                      
1tbsp chopped Cilantro
1/4 cup Sweet and Sour Sauce (store bought)
     Place ingredients into a bowl and mix until carrots are well coated.


To Assemble Sandwiches:
     Spread the pulled pork meat on the sub rolls. Ladle the BBQ sauce over the pulled pork. Top with cucumber salad and marinated carrots. Drizzle the mayo and sprinkle with cilantro and basil.


     If you want to make your sandwiches a little healthier, try substituting shredded chicken breast or flounder for the pork and omit the mayo. It's a delicious vegetarian treat too, just eliminate all meat!