1. Obsession with tassels continues.
2. Strudel jumped into the bath & can't figure out how to get out!
3. Lots of cross stitchery.
4,5,6,7. Fossils, gems, dinos, & polar bears at the Natural History Museum.
What's For Dinner?
Grilled romaine with blue cheese dressing and steaks!
It was all delicious, including the steak marinade which was garlic, cilantro, lime, brown sugar, and olive oil. But the lettuce didn't taste any different, maybe I needed to grill it more? Next time I'll get it real crispy!
I don't have a recipe for the marinade, I just kind of eyeballed it and it was super yummy.
I find that I'm becoming more relaxed with cooking, trusting myself to guess at quantities of things. This is good and maybe shows that I'm learning to chill a little bit in my old age?
Pardon me as I go obsessively categorize my bookcase by the Dewey Decimal system.
Organized
As I was walking through a store the other day these large glass jars caught my eye, and I realized I had been meaning to buy some to store foodstuffs in for about 12 years. All of a sudden I got quite angry that it had taken me so long and bought a bunch of them in an effort to become more organized.
I'm so happy I did, I love looking at flour and sugar in these much more than a boring old paper bag!
Elderflower
My obsession with Elderflower continues!
First it was St. Germain liqueur, it's delicious with champagne or in a gin & tonic.
Now it's Belvoir Farms Elderflower Presse, a "natural soda" made with elderflowers, lemon, and sparkling water. It tastes refreshing and delightful, and a little bit floral- perfect for summer. I love it!
Favorite Vinaigrette
This is my very favorite salad vinaigrette. The recipe is from The Barefoot Contessa and yes, it has a raw egg in it. If you are worried about it just use a organic farm fresh egg or omit it. Personally, I think it adds such a creamy consistency to this dressing that I can't imagine the recipe without it!
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 egg yolk, at room temp
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
3 tablespoons champagne or white wine vinegar
salt & pepper to taste
1/2 cup olive oil
Whisk together first 5 ingredients, then slowly whisk in olive oil until emulsified.
Sometimes I like to add a little lemon too, if I'm feeling saucy!
Sweet & Salty
I just cannot get enough of sweet & salty combos lately!
I had a delicious sundae once that was a fancy take on an Almond Joy, they topped it off with salted Marcona almonds and it was like, my favorite thing ever.
Last night while I was having my usual evening sweet tooth attack, I decided to make my own version using vanilla bean ice cream, dulce de leche, and salted Marcona almonds. Then I sprinkled a little more salt over the top just to make sure it was perfect. It was sooooo good. I highly recommend you make this immediately!
My Favorite Things- The Madonna Inn
My visiting friend Polly brought me this lovely gift from The Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, California. It was so pink and so beautifully wrapped that I wanted to share it with you!
I've never been to The Madonna Inn but I feel like I have. Polly has told me so many tales over the years and I've seen so many photos and talked about it so much that I feel a special connection to the place.
This gorgeous milk glass goblet is exactly what you would drink out of at The Inn if you were lucky enough to stay there. I collect milk glass objects so this was the perfect gift for me!
Renegade Craft Fair - Los Angeles
I finally made it to the Renegade Craft Fair this year, and it was excellent!
I was expecting a lot of great stuff and people, but it was even more amazing than I could have predicted. I just kept walking and walking and looking at beautiful and creative things. I definitely left feeling inspired. Here are some of the things I saw, ate, & bought!
There were some great food trucks at the fair but I had to go for the one I had heard so much about- the fried chicken Ludo Truck. It was flavorful, super crunchy, and I am still craving more today! Read more about the crazy 3 day process that it takes to make this chicken here.
My first purchase was this amazing bright orange cat/mouse print from Strawberry Luna.
Then I got my very own copy of Vintage Craft Workshop, signed by Cathy of California herself!
I was charmed by this bat illustration by Ryan Berkley.
Sadly, I was in such a rush to get to work that I forgot to take a picture of my dear friend Polly in her booth, selling her wares. Sad face. Next year for sure!
Urban Light
Went to LACMA to see the Urban Lights installation last night (pure awesome) and rounded out the experience by having an old fashioned at the new Ray's & Stark Bar.
Had the most fun!
Yummy Weekend
{image via LA In Bloom}
This picture is just...heaven. All the bright colors make me happy.
So, this weekend is going to be awesome! My friend Polly is coming to LA for the Renegade Craft Fair, she sells jewelry and bags and felt stuff, you should check out her Etsy shop. Or come see her at Renegade this weekend! Anyway I am really excited to see her, it's been way too long. I can't wait to show her around LA and my favorite haunts. This weekend I am planning on having a good time, enjoying the summer, and avoiding the 405 freeway closure (do you think it's going to be as bad as they say?).
Lee Radziwill in Capri
{image via The Sartorialist}
I just saw this shot of Lee Radziwill on The Sartorialist and I was overwhelmed with the greatness.
I love everything in this photo. The Schiaparelli-esque lobster clutch, the laid back bohemian tunic with matching nail polish, the glass of champagne, just enough jewelry, perfect hair, and most of all- the mile long cigarette ash!
New
I indulged in a little bit of therapy this past weekend, of the retail variety.
I'm trying out a new walking/work out regimen and this water bottle was my reward. Plus it's my 3 favorite colors- orange, teal, and stripe (yes, stripe is a color!).
Essie "cute as a button" nail polish.
New shirts in my favorite color!
'Lette Macarons
yuuuuummmm macarons
I was SO excited when I saw this shop was going to open up directly next door to where I work.
Today I tried the salted caramel, pistachio, and raspberry flavors. They were all exceptional, but my heart will always and forevermore belong to salted caramel.
And how cute is their macaron inspired logo? Um, very cute. Locations here.
Butcher Paper Birthday
Recently I had a birthday present to wrap and no time to drive to a fancy card store and spend lots of money on something. So I stopped by my local dollar store and picked up some butcher paper and this 80's-esque, slightly hipster rainbow ribbon. I like the way it turned out, it's simple but fun!
Another thing I love to do (when I have more time) is take a potato, cut it in half, carve out a design or a person's initials, and then dip in paint and stamp it all over plain paper to make my own homemade wrapping paper. Personalization shows you care!
My Favorite Things- Signature Fragrance
Parfum Sacre by Caron
Have you ever been to The Perfume House in Portland, Oregon?
It's a unique experience. The fact that The Perfume House even exists there is pretty amazing. Portlanders are not known for their style and fragrance, unless you are talking about Gore Tex and patchouli. I'm not trying to be rude but that's just the way it goes. Also, The Perfume House is located on Hawthorne Boulevard which is known for being a "hippie" part of town, and it's in this old brown house which has been converted into an amazing perfume shop.
I first went there years ago with my bestie Lauren and we had an amazing time. The owner Chris was in for the day, he's a wonderful old world European gentleman and this guy is the best salesperson I have ever come across. You don't even realize what he's doing to you, he sits you down and tells you some amazing story and the next thing you know, you buy everything in sight. We talk about Chris all the time and when we go back we are disappointed if he isn't there. Every time we visit we learn something new, and one time Chris sold us on this wonderful rigamarole about day and evening scents. Day scents are made with flowers that bloom during the day, are only worn during the day and you can have as many as you want, switching back and forth. Evening scents are special. You only have one, and it is your signature fragrance. It is made from night blooming flowers and it is a very personal thing, what you are known for. Of course I became obsessed, and it took me a couple of years but I found it (at The Perfume House of course) and it is Parfum Sacre by Caron. This is what Chris told me- it takes 117 minutes to develop on your arm and it's true, it smells weird and old lady at first but after it develops, it's the yummiest thing ever- spicy and powdery. I use it sparingly, only for very special occasions, which is silly because it's supposed to be my signature.
You have to check out this review on a great perfume blog, Now Smell This, and you will see that I am not exaggerating about this place! If you are ever in Portland, do stop by and allow yourself to indulge in the wonderful world that is fine fragrance.
Holiday Weekend
So, it's a holiday weekend. 4th of July.
Full disclosure: I hate the 4th of July. It's so LOUD. I hate that people set off pointless fireworks for hours and it makes so much noise and it gets all the dogs barking and it upsets my cat. And me.
Did I mention what an old stick in the mud I can be sometimes? Haha.
Anyway, maybe you Los Angeles natives out there can give me some tips for fun things to do for the 4th. What have you done in the past that you loved? What are the best places to watch fireworks? Maybe I can join in the spirit this year instead of holing up in my house getting angrier and angrier by the minute as everyone else in the world has a great time? A girl can dream!
At Your Leisure
I got my copy of At Your Leisure in the mail today.
It's beautiful. Sunny photos and touches of neon.
I love the quote on the first page:
"This zine is simply: An exploration of ideas, images, concepts, and colors
An homage to those that inspire and a desire to do the same
A visual train of thought
A celebration of individuals that live what they love
Please Enjoy. At Your Leisure"
Perfection. Buy here.
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