Why not try: Cinnamon Raisin Almond Balls {or Bars}

We haven't had a Why Not Try in quite some time on here & this is a good one. I joined a website, SparkPeople, to keep me on track for summer fitness goals -but I'm mostly using it for recipe & workout emails. On Saturday morning I got sent an email for a snack recipe - which turned out to be wonderfully useful since I was hosting a small gathering for the US. v. Ghana game {:( USA}. I don't know how people think of these things, but this one comes from Anne over @ her fANNEtasticfood blog.

Ok 3 ingredients & 2 steps -so simple!

Put 1 cup of raisins, 1 cup of almonds, & a tsp of cinnamon in a blender & blend until mixed. Form into balls {which I went with} or bars - the raisins make it sticky, you could probably do this with dates as a substitute. It says this makes about 12 balls, but I made mine small {one-bite size} & made about 20+. They are ready to go as soon as you form them, which is great, but I refrigerated mine briefly {15 minutes or so} since it's been so unbearably hot here.

Here's a breakdown of all the nutrition information:

Super fast, super cheap, super easy, & super healthy - I think I'll be keeping this recipe in the back of my mind for awhile!

Erdem Resort 2011

I have really been quite enamored with Erdem this past year. The Resort collection for 2011 was no exception. I just love the details & the silhouettes. I'm mostly drawn to things I could see myself wearing - I especially want those black embroidered coats!

Proud to be an American

I just think everyone needs to know that this exists. What other country could this particularly heinus, yet amazing, combination of country + hip hop dancing exist. The good ol' U.S. of A. Seriously, enjoy the tackiness below. Via four four.

Blasius Erlinger

Blasius Erlinger is a wonderful photographer, born in 1961 in Germany. He actually studied law in Munich, until his photography career took off in 1988 in Australia. He believes photography will allow him to travel the world, while studying all of the varying cultures it has to offer. I think his travel photographs are particularly beautiful, but his fashion photographs are simply stunning -really hard to choose. Enjoy the selections below!

MUSIC: Fok Friday {Sia}

I have been listening to this lady's album, Some People Have Real Problems {2008}, on repeat for two years now. Then, this week, I heard rumblings of a new album - she has mentioned before of quitting, or not doing any more solo, in-front-of-camera work. So, I thought I would share some of my faves from her to celebrate her new work, which I want to get my hands on.

Sia, born in Australia in 1975, is known for her souldful-jazzy-pop ish solo work, as well as her work with her group Zero 7. As a solo artist she has put out 5 studio albums: Only See {1997}, Healing is Difficult {2001}, Colour the Small One {2004, 2006}, Some People Have Real Problems {2008}, & the quite recent We Are Born {June 4, 2010}.

Additionally, she has worked as producer & song writer for the likes of Christina Aguilera &, in 2009, sang back up vocals s for Flight of the Conchords {!} CD, I Told You I Was Freaky. In her personal life, she is a vegetarian {I'm succeeding in that endeavor at least!} & openly gay -currently dating JD Samson from Le Tigre.

She is sort of cuckoo-crazy & I dig it, you'll get the idea in her videos below...I'm posting two {both from Some People Have Real Problems}!

Happy Favelas

I found this & just had to share! As a studier of buildings, urban studies, & other various related fields this sort of thing makes me happy happy!

Haas&Hahn {aka Jeroen Koolhaas & Dre Urhahn}, hailing from The Netherlands, have been a team since 2005. They filmed a hip-hop documentary in the favelas of Rio & São Paolo for MTV, & were so taken with the environment that they decided to bring wild art -with the help of some local youth -to public places to spruce them up...and bring some happiness {what a happy post we are having, eh?}. They entitled this project: "community-driven art interventions"...don't you love it!

Yay for accessible art & yay for community involvement!

Phyllis Galembo

Galembo is a photographer {a professor of photography @ the University of Albany, actually} who is most interested in costumes, masquerading, & African culture. I'm quited enamored with her work; really gives off a particular vibe & has such presence! Visit her website to learn & see more.

Her most recent exhibition is in Amsterdam {I can't believe it's almost been 3 months since I returned!}:

• Phyllis Galembo: Masquerade, a Decade @ Reflex Art Gallery, Amsterdam, Netherlands {May 23 - July 11}

She has published a total of 5 books:

1. Dressed for Thrills, 100 Years of Halloween/masquerade costume {2002}
2. Vodou: Visions and Voice of Haiti, by Phyllis Galembo {2005}
3. Aso-ebi, Cloth of the Family {1997}
4. Divine Inspiration from Benin to Bahia {1993}
5. 1`Pale Pink, by Phyllis Galembo {1982}

Here are some of my favorites:

Morocco, 2009 {can't believe it's been more than a year since I was there!}

Sierra Leone, 2008-2009

Sodo, Haiti {1997-2001}

Fulani {Look at that fabric & those chunky beads...I'm in love!}

Summertime Girls Got It Going On

Is anyone going anywhere fun this summer? Planning some neat day trips even? I'm just beginning the planning process for my next adventure {Laos & Cambodia I believe}, but that probably won't take place this summer. I would love to explore a little bit of the south, while I'm down in this area...any suggestions?

I love this drawing by Krisatomic -makes me want to get some gals together & hit the road!

Oh, also, after thinking of that title I have that forever-stuck-in-your-head LFO song, well, stuck in my head, so enjoy the vid below:

Marc Jacobs Resort 2011

I'm seriously dying over these outfits from Marc Jacobs Resort Collection for 2011. Now, there were a bunch of swimsuits with a trench over it...not sure how realistic that is...sort of like Uggs & miniskirts, no thanks. However, the floral lace, the 1960s vibe...I want to wear it now!