Even though my boutique bean obsession reminds me a little of a Portlandia sketch, I still think we should take a moment with these sexy Anasazis.
Quicker cooking than traditional pintos and less gassy too, Anasazis add protein and nutrients to soups, Mexican dishes, and more. 
Soak overnight and drain off the water. Add fresh water, bring to a boil, and then reduce to a simmer until tender. Expect Anasazis to plump and pink when cooked. 
Stella turned three and celebrated with a Hello Kitty-themed bonanza on this penultimate episode of the season. Who is eating all this cake? Seriously, that’s enough cake for 300 people. 
Super mellow as usual, Stella enjoyed rubbing elbows with the offspring of Hollywood’s C-minus-list mom cartel which includes Ali Landry and Denise Richards. 
Dean diddled in the liquid nitrogen. Candy’s bodyguards brought Tori’s old dollhouse in for Stella. 
Dean booked an appearance in Toronto - something having to do with honoring Dads. Marvel at our short collective memories. Not long ago this guy deserted his family to run off with Tori, now he’s leading fatherhood rallies? 
Later the whole family took a trip to the top of the CN Tower and Liam got busy licking the glass floor.
Next week for the big finale, Tori gives birth to Hattie. So if this reality show is any indication of actual reality (which of course it isn’t), then basically all the McDermotts did from Tori’s first trimester to her last is throw parties. Somebody has a party planning book to promote. Jeesh. 
We’ve discussed the benefits and pitfalls of dealing with Rent the Runway before, but I had a not-so-great experience shopping their clearance sale and wanted to warn you. 
Periodically Rent the Runway liquidates their heavily-rented inventory with a clearance sale. The dresses and accessories are previous rentals and clearly show signs of fatigue. In fairness, RTR sort of discloses damages – for example below they indicate the garment has pick/pull flaws, but don’t show the specific item for purchase. 
All items are final sale, so you better know your size and be ready to accept whatever arrives. Keep in mind most of these dresses are stretched from the myriad bodies that have inhabited them. Whether you find the savings significant will be a matter of perspective. A Proenza Schouler dress that retails for $1,525 sells for $455 on clearance. But you are still shelling out nearly $500 for a used frock, and not lightly used at that. 
The accessories might be a better value if most of them weren’t completely fug. 
My negative experience involved some crazy price fluctuations on a dress. After some back and forth the issue was favorably resolved, but the entire experience left a bad taste in my mouth when it comes to shopping RTR’s clearance. 
Gucci
Yup, that’s Adrien Brody for Prada.
Bottega Veneta
Alexander McQueen
Ami
Dior Homme
Andrea Pompilio
Berlutti
Damir Doma
CAT POWER
personal favorite: You Are Free
GIRL TALK
old standby: Feed the Animals
more recent: All Day
SANTIGOLD
fresh for 2012: Master of My Make Believe
THE RAPTURE
2003 classic: Echoes
2011 standout: In the Grace of Your Love
WILD FLAG
debut: Wild Flag
Anybody else notice Bobbi Brown has been hiking her prices every 6 months for at least the last three years? That greedy gouging is chapping my ass and has me on the hunt for alternatives. Having enjoyed TheBalm’s Bahama Mama bronzer, I took a risk and tried their tinted moisterizer BalmShelter. 
This product has a thicker, more luxurious consistency than most tinted moisterizers. The rich cream provides above average coverage within its category. BalmShelter creates a plump and smooth surface for layering other products and doesn’t encourage migration. With broad spectrum SPF 18 and a $25 price tag for a generous 2.25 oz, it is a competitive alternative to Bobbi Brown’s tinted moisterizers (1.69 oz for $40!). The main drawback? Color selection. BalmShelter needs a variety of inclusive shades to lure more ladies and gents their way.
Alberta Ferretti 
Givenchy 
Jonathan Saunders
Louis Vuitton
Maison Martin Margiela
Stella McCartney
The Row
Preen
Nina Ricci
Maison Martin Margiela
Alberta Ferretti
Cushnie Et Ochs
Mehran visited Old McDermott’s mini-farm and finally articulated what we’ve all been wondering. What is the deal with the indoor/outdoor livestock? 
Do they really think they are going to recreate the Beekman in Encino? Bitch please. Do guests just politely pretend her house doesn’t smell like animal feces?
Tori countered Mehran’s inquiry by explaining she wanted the kids to grow up around animals. She doesn’t quite seem to grasp that goats aren’t lap pets – especially when you are four months pregnant. 
Tori hosted a meeting with HSN product-pusher Pulsar. During the presentation, Totes McGoats nibbled on the mood boards. 
This leads us to Tori’s career lark of the week: parties in a box. Is anyone else surprised that last week Tori covered the Royal Wedding and this week she’s trying to launch the same business model that made the Middletons their millions? Tori moves forward with these inane ideas without any sense of self-awareness. Evidently, no one has the heart to tell her that she lacks the experience, follow through, and commitment to launch any of these half-cocked notions into successful ventures. 
In a blatant cross-promotional bonanza, Patti Stanger appeared under the pretense of matching Mehran. Tori and Patti sifted through the best of the very limited pool of potential dates and invited them to a mixer. 
From there, Mehran chose two guys to meet one-on-one for cocktails. Mehran conveniently chose the same location for drinks as the surprise baby shower that he and Tori planned for InvenTori manager Sally Smoody. Tori and Sally wore conspicuously large hats, and Tori waived her cell phone around wildly as part of the most non-stealth spy mission ever attempted. 
Tori escorted Sally upstairs and “surprised” her with her shower, which was actually just a huge product placement for her gay husbands’ baby PR firm and her party planning book. 
Tori orchestrated a seance for her 38th birthday. Guests, including Jeff Lewis, came dressed as their favorite horror movie characters. Tori dressed as Mia Farrow from Rosemary’s Baby, Mehran chose Damien from The Omen, and the one costume that will haunt me in my nightmares: Liam channeled Chucky. 
