Post Christmas Vegan Drinks

Last night we held our monthly vegan drinks meet up but we switched it up a bit. Since this month is crazy busy instead of a Tuesday meet up we went for a Saturday night social, which was pretty cool because most of us are off on the weekends. We had our sights on a pretty cool Jamaican place but we found out they were having a set menu and that would work out for the group so after a few suggestions we decided on Mulan Asian Bistro in Cooper Young. (Check out Bianca's post on Vegan Crunk.) I've tried them before but it has only been take out. The inside is more of high end compared to most take out places, they even had cloth napkins on the table.

Now of course a vegan drinks would not be a vegan drinks without the drinks part. After going back and forth with myself I decided on a Sake. Of course I didn't order the normal house Sake. I opted for the Sparkling Sake in a pink bottle. Plus I just wouldn't be Cassi of me if I didn't. Aside for the pretty pink bottle this Sake did not disappoint. Since it is a sparkling Sake it is served cold and it still had that Sake bite but it also had hints of fruit flavor. It was very refreshing, not too strong and happy. I think I kinda drank it too fast I woke up this am with a sight headache.

I like Mulan because they have a ton of tofu and wheat noodle dishes on the menu. They even have a tofu fried rice! It took me as long to decide on dinner than it did to decide on my drink. After flipping through the menu 26 times I settled on the Home Style Tofu. I guess it's called homestyle because the tofu is deep fried. I love my tofu this way because it gets rid of the mushyness and gives the tofu a meaty texture. Normally it is SUPPOSE to come with red and green peppers, black fungus, scallions, red peppers and garlic but I don't like peppers so I asked if the could leave the peppers out and replace them with long beans. Sadly long beans are out of season so I had to go with greens beans. I think this is my new favorite dish. It was a bit oily but super spicy, the green beans were nice and crunchy and it was loaded with garlic chunks. Lucky for me I'm single and can eat all the garlic I want. Most of our dished were served with rice and I assumed that the rice would come in normally like white bowl but no they came in wooden buckets! I was in love! I am going back to buy one from Mulan, it's cute and round just like me! What's not to love?!

After dinner the group went to go see our friend Autumn in her burlesque show but I was still in introvert mode and wasn't ready for the crowds so Amy and I went to Five in One Social Club for bingo! She even won a game! She pick out a Made in Memphis hat that she let me bedazzled because that's what friends do. (Well she bedazzled it I just showed her how) Just like always Vegan Drinks was a good time.

Vegan Chocolate Casting

When it comes to candy, I become the biggest kid in the world plus who doesn't love sugar. Chocolate is my favorite type of sugar. I only know one person who doesn't like sugar, my friend Greg. His dislike for sugary goodness is just the beginning of his weirdness but we still hang out with him, he's a pretty cool guy. I am the type that can not keep junk food in the house because I will eat it ALL.

   My second love after sugar is crafting. Yes I am the type that would rather stay home and make something than hang out in a bar. So when Five in One had Chocolate Casting on the calendar I was all in! In this craft we would make our own molds to cast the chocolate in. I was super excited! I only gave a brief summary of what Five in One Social Club or VINI  is so here is their answer

"What is VINI, what is Five in One, what is Made in Memphis, and whats the difference?

Five in One and VINI are the same entity - think roman numerals - V-IN-I.  We use the names interchangeably. Made in Memphis is the product line that we make at VINI.  Alice is called alicat and Michael goes by Miguelito Equis.

Vini is a living art studio that seeks to expand the understanding and appreciation of art by engaging the public in the collaborative and creative processes involved with making it. The free exchange of ideas, perceptions and perspectives are designed to enhance the vision of both local and visiting national artists to extend the realm of what is possible, while allowing the public to experience the creative process like never before and hopefully to walk away from the experience enriched, inspired and engaged."

Their tag line is Five in One Social Club kindergarten for adults. I love that there is a group of 20, 30 and 40 somethings that can get together and just have fun. Of course Bianca and I go to Social Club together. ( I may or may not have been late. I was getting my hair done.) While we were making our chocolate Bianca asked Alice where they come up with the ideas for Social Club and she said that she gets a few of the ideas from the internet and other ideas come for the things people bring to the clubhouse.

  Now to make the our molds I had to come up with a drawing. Crap. I am the world's worst artist. My idea was to make a book, easy enough right. Wrong! I had to call Micheal AND Alice over to help me. Once the picture was "drawn" I cut it out, traced it onto foam board three times and cut it out. Next I used rubber cement to bind the 3 pieces together. If you were feeling fancy you could use textured foam to give the mold added dimensions. Yeah, Cassi is not that fancy. I was happy to get my pattern cut out and look similar to its real life counter part. In the end I settled on my three favorite items in life. A high heel, a book and of course a wine glass! Keithon saw my struggles and stuck with a simple K. After was bonded together the first part of the fun started. Micheal MADE a vacuum suction contraption using and old vanity mirror frame, two electric heating coils and a wet dry vac. Yes, I said a wet dry vac. If nothing else that Micheal is handy! Micheal placed the foam cut outs on the part with vent holes will the plastic was placed on the side with the heating coils to warm it up. Then he flipped the warm plastic over the foam and turned on the vacuum! The vacuum pulled the warmed plastic over the foam to making the depth for the mold. It was awesome! The next step and the most important part the chocolate! Now I know regular chocolate contains milk but when your name is Cassi you know where to look to find vegan melting chocolate. Earlier in the week I called one of our local baking supply stores Mary Carter's and of course they had dark chocolate. So I picked up two 1 pound bags for Bianca and I so we could play as well. Alice had all types of goodness for use as mix-ins and a few store brought molds. (Of course I choose the mustaches.) We could choose from peppermint, rice cereal, coconut, and nuts.  Normally once you cast the chocolate you place it in the fridge to set but not today. It has been in the 20's for the past two days so we just put our mold outside to set. 

Five in One is an awesome place and I am so glad we now have a place in Memphis to go and just have fun. So go and get your craft on and support a small local business.

Small Business Saturday and VINI

  I did not participate in any of the Black Friday sales but I always take part in Small Business Saturday and this year was no exception. This year I took it a step further and didn't go to any big businesses. Of course to go shopping I needed a partner in crime so I called Nicole. Before shopping I needed to have a come to Jesus meeting and Nicole is good for that, so went for coffee.

Afterwards it was time to shop! I suggested we head downtown to A. Schwab, my grandma would take me there when I was little. A. Schwab opened in 1876 selling dry goods and what nots, plus there is only one location so it doesn't get any more small business than that. Here is a little info from their website.

*In 1876, Jewish immigrant Abraham Schwab opened a store on Beale Street. Over its 136-year history, A. Schwab has become a Memphis institution, beloved by many generations. A. Schwab is the only original business remaining on Beale Street.

The owners are dedicated to preserving the rich heritage of the store and telling the story of the street and region through historic artifacts and relevant merchandise. An authentic mercantile experience still greets visitors from around the world. Children of all ages enjoy an assortment of old-fashioned delights.*

  Its been awhile since I've been and a few chances have taken place. First Schwab's has changed owners but that's a good thing because the store was in danger of closing something I didn't know. The new owners have made a few additions to the store, we discovered there is now a ice cream and soda fountain with a soda jerk behind the counter! It was like walking back into the 50's. The menu is on a chalkboard, there are glass containers for the ice cream and they even make their own sodas. Sadly there aren't any vegan items on the food menu BUT they do have sorbet! So Nicole and I sampled the blueberry it was awesome and locally made. I will return for more.

  Once we got back to the shopping, we found tons of cool things but sadly I can't post any because they are Christmas gifts and that would ruin the surprise. We did stumble on one knick knack that was ingenious. It is a notebook where the pages are napkins! It's the perfect idea, who hasn't written on a napkin? Plus sometimes the best ideas are ones written on a napkin. Now the upstairs has changed a bit too but the scale that will give you your weight and fortune for a penny was still there. Of course we used it, after take of a few layers (yes I stripped off my sweatshirt, shoes and purse in the store) I am happy to report that I am down 38 pounds since January! Whoop whoop!!

A. Schwab is a 3 story building and the 3 floor use to be a museum but now its a mojo shop. This really excited me but sadly the lady that has all the mojo knowledge was on vacation so I picked a few things on my own just to get me started.

  Next stop on our small business Saturday adventure was Nicole's suggestion of a wig shop on S. Third St. Its always fun to go and look at wigs. Of course we were just window shopping but i'm sure we will return because I do have my eye on one wig but that too is a surprise. Stay tuned for the unveiling but check out the hat I brought and of course bedazzled. Yes I own a bedazzler and I bedazzle anything I get my hands on. 

  I have a lot of creative energy so my favorite place to go on Saturdays is Five in One on Broad Ave. It is kindergarten for grown ups! VINI is owned by the husband and wife power duo Alice and Micheal. Along with being a crafting shop they are sale items by local artists as well as screen printed shirts, hats and posters. All the apparel is Memphis themed, created and made by in house by Michael and Alice. If you are in Memphis go check it out!

This Saturday in the clubhouse the project was wine bottle glasses. What's that you ask its where we took empty wine bottles and turned them into drinking glasses! I had plenty of empty wine bottles so I was prepared for this craft. The great thing about VINI crafts is that there are simple enough to be done at home.  After soaking our wine bottles to remove the labels Bianca and I were ready to get to work. (Nicole and I parted ways) The process is super simple, once the labels were removed we had to score the bottles using the a glass cutter box Micheal made. Once that was done Micheal alternates pouring hot and cold water over the score line to break the bottle. If the scoring is done correctly you end up with a perfect glass cup after you sand down the rim of course. This craft was the coolest one i've done so far! Don't worry if you missed the craft on Saturday they always repeat it again on Monday nights. So check out their calender!

  While waiting for the bottle breaking line, Bianca discovered the coolest jackets. There were only two left, a size small for her and a medium for me so we had to nab them. Plus on the back they said Crosstown which just happens to be our hood! The final selling point they are trimmed in pink!! This jacket screamed bedazzle me!  Of course I offered to bedazzle Bianca's but she said she would pass. (She's not the shinny sparkly type) Since we now have our jackets we will refer to ourselves as the Crosstown Mafia because we are tough like that.

So if you haven't been to A. Schwab or Five in One go check them out. They are just two of the local businesses that make Memphis Memphis!