So long 2012...A Shopgirls New Years Party Playlist!!

Let us be honest.  We Shopgirls love a good party.  Good food, good drinks, good friends, and great clothes are our favorites!  But it is the sweet, sweet jams that really brings a party together.  Tonight is New Year's Eve- the partiest of all party nights.  Shopgirl Anna shares some of her fave party music to celebrate this night of nights.  So long 2012...

"Below are some highlights from my playlist and few pictures of people partying.  You know, for inspiration.  I hope you enjoy the playlist, I have a weakness for loving songs popular 3 years ago.  Have fun tonight friends, and be safe please!  See you in 2013."

xoxo-Shopgirl Anna


1. "Do You Want to Touch Me?" - Gary Glitter
"This has shown up in two of my playlists.  It is a favorite for riding the line between really awesome and really super creepy.  But it will always make me dance."

4. "Don't Leave Me This Way" - Thelma Houston

"This song makes me want to don all my sequins and dance till the music stops, Studio 54 style.  A little bit of excessive indulgence and intense decadence never hurt anyone, right?  Hey!  Pour me another glass of Dom, please."


5. "Ride Wit Me" - Nelly, City Spud

"Because this song is still just as awesome as it used to be.  Sorry, it must be the money."

7. "Gravy (for my Mashed Potatoes)" - Dee Dee Sharp

"Loved this jam since Sister Act."

8. "Live Your Life" - T.I. featuring Rihanna

"All you people who listen to the radio loved this song a long time ago.  I just happen to love it now, okay?  I too want the "the spirit of a hustler and the swagger of a college kid."

11. "Hanging on the Telephone" - The Nerves

"I listen to this song at least once a day for the last 3 months.  I can't figure it out, but right now my ears just think this is the perfect song."

12. "Hollywood Swinging" - Kool & The Gang/15. "Upside Down" - Diana Ross, Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers

"These two are my favorite party pick-me-ups.  If your party is experiencing a lull, put these two songs on.  Even if nothing else happens, at least I will be up dancing."

14. "Walking in Different Circles" - Goldie & the Gingerbreads

"A fun song from the first all girl band signed to a major label (back in 1963).  Deep down I would secretly love to have two daughters, one named Goldie and one named Ginger.  The song is also a good reminder to move on from things in 2013."

16. "Wild Thing" - Tone-Loc

"Classic.  Classic.  This song was soooooo scandalous to my little baby ears when it came out.  Also, it is a guaranteed crowd pleaser at weddings and political rallies everywhere!"

Shopgirls Bake! Zucchini Cheddar Drop Biscuits.

Hello friends!  Now that the weather is getting a little colder we Shopgirls are staying in a little bit more (snuggled up in adorable knits we found at Revival, of course), focused on more indoor activities.  And in the Fall that includes a ridiculous amount of cooking and baking.   Along with a love of cashmere and sweaters with cats on them, Shopgirls love delicious food.  So, for your enjoyment...some of our favorite concoctions.  For our first, Shopgirl Anna makes Zucchini Cheddar Drop Biscuits.  

Fresh Faced Pre-Shopgirl Anna

In another life, I wrote a food blog called CandyAnna and this was one of my favorite recipes.  No matter the occasion or season, when you bring these to a dinner party, you never bring any home.  Unless you are with vegans or heart patients, because these recipe is incredibly un-vegan or heart healthy.  In fact, we call them lil' butter bombs.  BUT they are amazing, and we recommend eating warm with home canned jalapeno jelly if at all possible.  

I adapted this recipe from A Cozy Kitchen, a dynamite baking blog with fantastic photography.  Drop biscuits are delightfully imprecise and quick, but just like any other biscuit you want to mess with the butter as little as possible for maximum fluffiness.

Recipe makes 15 or 30 mini biscuits.  

1 Cup Zucchini, shredded

2 Teaspoons salt, divided

1 1/4 cup grated cheddar

2 1/2 cups of flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 stick of butter, cold and cubed

1 cup milk 

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C)

Shred the zucchini.  Using a cheese cloth (I improvise with paper towels and just wing it), add the zucchini to the center and squeeze the excess water out.  Move to a small bowl and add 1/2 teaspoon salt and a dash of flour.  Mix and let stand for 10 minutes.

In a larger bowl, sift flour, baking powder and salt.  Working quickly, add the cubed better and break up with your hands until they're the size of small peas.  

Add the milk, zucchini, and cheddar until moistened.  Drop batter, using tablespoons, on a baking sheet lined with parchment.  I frequently run out of parchment, so I lightly butter the sheet.  

Bake for 10-12 mins or until the edges are golden brown.  Serve warm if possible.  

Enjoy!

xoxo-Shopgirl 

Super Awesome Garage Rock: Revival Playlist #3

In celebration of the currently happening Firecracker 500 Festival, Shopgirl Anna put together this sunny, summer-appropriate Super Awesome Garage Rock Playlist (if she does say so herself).   In the Shopgirl's own words,

"I have always loved me some garage rock, especially old stuff that just makes you want to drink beer and dance.  Some of my list faves include "Are you a Boy or a Girl" by the Barbarians and "Ana" by Los Saicos because my name is Shopgirl Anna and I am pretty vain.  I picked "I Think We are Alone Now" because the 13 year old that lives inside me made me do it."

Please note that Shopgirl Anna wore her absolute favorite MC5 t-shirt she recently scored at Revival while making this playlist.

All we can hope is that it inspires you to head to Gabe's tonight and see Liberty Leg (along with tons of other fantastic Firecracker 500 bands).

Click here for the line-up!

Happy Summer- the Shopgirls