Dream Dinner Party

Granted, this is a very clichéd question, but it's very fun to answer: if you could have a dinner party, and invite anyone dead or alive, who would you invite?

It would be so so difficult to whittle a list down to a few, but among my favorites would certainly be:

• Pablo Picasso
• Meryl Streep
• C.S. Lewis
• Abigail Adams
• F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Georgia O'Keeffe

with dinner prepared by Tony Bourdain and music by Yo-Yo Ma

Rotisserie to the Rescue

A rotisserie chicken is one of the quickest and most scrumptious ways to enhance most any chicken recipe.

My recent favorite rotisserie chicken recipe is...

Green Enchiladas Suizas:

My Life in France

"I feel I was born French." -Julia Child

Me too, Julia, me too.

The place where I feel most French is the gloriously sun-drenched Southern part of the country, particularly the region between Nice and Marseilles. The colors appear more vibrant there. The grapes taste of the earth in which they were grown (terroir, as the French call it). The hillsides look like patchwork quilts in varying shades of green.

One of my favorite activities in any country, but especially in the South of France, is aimless wandering through local markets. The artfully arranged stacks of freshly picked produce, bundles of local flowers, artisanal cheeses or soaps that smell of lavender---these markets engage and overwhelm every one of the five senses in the most wonderful of ways.

All images taken on my last trip to the Saturday market in Nice, 2007:

Mojito Monday

It's Monday, y'all.
So, I'm guessing you could use a little rum-infusion.

Classic Mojito (you'll feel like it's summer in no time):

1 teaspoon powdered sugar
juice from 1 lime (2 oz.)
4 mint leaves
1 sprig of mint
2 ounces of white rum
2 ounces of club soda

Place the mint leaves in a glass and squeeze the lime over them. Add the sugar and then gently muddle the lime, sugar, and mint. Add crushed ice. Add rum, stir and then top with club soda. Garnish with the mint sprig.

Sip, close your eyes, smell some Coppertone and pretend you're on South Beach.

Words to Live by

Desiderata

-- written by Max Ehrmann in the 1920s --

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

It's Saturday, Go Bananas

Really yummy banana crumble muffins:

Recipe from All Recipes

Spring into Florals

Now that March is going out like a lamb, the quickest way to shift your wardrobe from the black and gray winter blah into springy splendor is to add a touch of floral.

How to wear floral prints without looking like your grandmother's couch:

• choose a print that fits your stature: don't wear gigantic poppies if you're 5'2'' or mini-rosettes if you're 6'
  
• select a print in a modern color palette
• cut and proportion are key: classically cut pencil skirts or structured sweaters look more sophisticated than flowy bohemian pieces
  
• only wear one floral item at a time
  
• if you're apprehensive of floral prints, play with floral-inspired accessories like ballet flats or scarves or jewelryall looks from JCrew
  

Things I Learned from Julia

• No excuses, no explanations
• Don’t be afraid
• Practice cooking like you practice piano
  
• Don’t crowd the mushrooms
• If no one’s in the kitchen, who’s to see?
• Everything's better with butter
• Bon appétit

Movies That Move You

Every so often, a film encapsulates another culture so successfully that you feel you've been transported away on your own private jet (and sometimes even a time machine).

Here are my picks for "I'm having a crummy day, take me to another place and time" films:

Lovey Dovey: Ode to Robert Doisneau

May your sweetie be more like this:
And less like this:

6 Things

every day necessities:

• freshly ground French Roast
• cut flowers
• color in my clothes, house, everywhere
  
• stretchy pants
• cheese
• Clinique superbalm
  

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Guess what? Mirrors aren't only for walls anymore!

What a lovely way to open up a small space or add a bit of shine and reflection to your room:
images borrowed from Elle Decor

Feeling Blue

I need an occasion for a blue gown:


photos 1 & 4 by Annie Leibovitz, photo 2 from Life Magazine, photo 3 from IMDB

Take a Hike

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings." John Muir

Most people who know me would probably not list hiking as one of my preferred past-times: cocktails and pedicures, yes indeedy...climbing uphill in not-so-cute boots, no thank you. But among the many interests my husband has recently instilled in me (avocados and baseball probably hold the #1 & #2 spots), is the love of a good hike.

In Southern California, land of the meticulously manicured lawn and green-spray painted "grassy" freeway medians, untouched and untamed nature is a rarity. So, often on Sunday afternoons, we venture out to one of our favorite state parks and spend a few hours meandering through dusty paths, taking in the ocean view and wildlife.

Last weekend, we enjoyed the bounty of wildflowers after a particularly rainy winter:

Take a Little Trip: Capri

Are y'all having a case of the Mondays like I am? Today, let's pretend we're lounging on the Isle of Capri, indulging in some raspberry gelato:

images borrowed from: villaeva, capri images, la tosca, sdfoody

Ciao, bellas!

Wonders for Your Wall

Aren't these prints by JHill Design fabulous? I adore her cheery colors and quirky text. What a fun way to commemorate travels to your favorite location or dream of future journeys!