tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65049743397756875102011-10-18T11:14:20.350-07:00Finding joy in life's delicious detailsPink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.comBlogger3831100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-90376452602905660232011-09-25T07:00:00.000-07:002011-09-25T10:19:09.747-07:00

"Everything you see, I owe to spaghetti." -Sophia LorenI've written about wanderlust here before but now I've got it bad.  I feel like sitting in LAX and just choosing the first flight I spot on the departures screen (fingers crossed I score Shanghai or Milan and not Springfield or Midland).  At the moment though, I continually dream of Italia--it happens every year at this time when I recall my

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-49795662644677245802011-09-24T10:00:00.000-07:002011-09-24T11:05:24.135-07:00

Growing up, the only fig I ever met came in the form of a Newton.  Now in the agricultural paradise known as California, I am lucky to have all varieties of fresh, seasonal produce available for culinary experimentation.   Each autumn, my hubby consumes vast amounts of figs...usually with a wedge of brie as an evening snack.  So when I saw Tyler Florence's recipe for Spiced Fig and Ricotta

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-85835242805533129452011-09-24T07:00:00.000-07:002011-09-24T07:00:01.705-07:00

Images borrowed from CamelAndYak, GrainEdit, Pinterest, VintageMeOhMy, MarthaStewart, IffersLittleNest, CompletelyCoastal, Tartlette.

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-91846646888616826732011-09-23T07:00:00.000-07:002011-09-23T14:37:24.123-07:00

"There is nothing more difficult for a truly creative painter than to paint a rose, because before he can do so he has first to forget all the roses that were ever painted." -Henri Matisse I'm buried deep in grading papers, housework and baby care, but I needed to take a Friday pause to relish in the loveliness of a bunch of roses on my coffee table. As my faithful readers know, I allow

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-8109913591843322442011-09-21T07:00:00.000-07:002011-09-21T10:21:05.583-07:00

Hello there!  Remember me?  Your ole' pal, Pink Frenchie?  Well, I've been absent from blogland because I was busy making a little human and then birthing/feeding/burping/de-pooping said little human.  Now that my sweet baby Gigi has started to understand the difference between day and night, I will try to write again....sporadically.   But, dear readers, you must promise to be forgiving if I

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-26871349160105915072011-06-06T07:00:00.000-07:002011-06-06T16:35:09.861-07:00

Regular visitors to Paris know that dogs of all varieties seem to have carte blanche in many public spaces.  From restaurants to department stores, from parks to produce markets, les chiens are everywhere in Paris.   Carrie Bradshaw with one of Paris' lovable dogs I am a true dog-lover so the occasional appearance of a pooch on a café chair never bothered me.  In fact quite the opposite, I find

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-76421226766644278742011-05-27T08:00:00.000-07:002011-05-29T08:44:01.017-07:00

"Imagination creates reality." -Richard Wagner Today I needed an escape.  I needed to abandon this world and spend a few hours in movie-land.  Even though I was drawn to Midnight in Paris for the promise of a Woody Allen film set in my dear Paris, ultimately, I found the perfect film about escapism and anachronism---precisely what my soul desired after a sad week. From the outset, I always

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-30311622059433025962011-05-25T08:00:00.000-07:002011-05-25T16:22:28.565-07:00

“Home is a name, a word, it is a strong one; stronger than magician ever spoke, or spirit ever answered to, in the strongest conjuration.” -Charles Dickens  In recent days, I simply cannot bring myself to write about my usual little pleasures and happy thoughts.  My mind has been in a sad fog since Sunday evening around 7:30 when I learned that my hometown of Joplin, Missouri was decimated by

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-74088537537111177062011-05-17T07:00:00.000-07:002011-05-17T08:14:39.581-07:00

Oh, the summer night Has a smile of light And she sits on a sapphire throne. ~Barry Cornwall Non-Californians envision a state of endless summer here in Orange County.  In reality, we have our seasons too (kind of).  They are just a little more subtle.  One of the notorious California "seasons" is the meteorological downer known as "May Gray" and its even more solemn sibling called "June Gloom."

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-69865287537976020902011-05-09T07:00:00.000-07:002011-05-09T20:05:37.955-07:00

I cannot think of a meal I adore more than brunch.  (Well, in my pregnant state, pre-breakfast, second breakfast, big Euro-style lunch and midday snack are close to a tie with brunch).  Brunch means your guests will be fresh off a restful night of slumber.  Brunch means you can prepare much of your meal the evening before. And brunch means you can justify eating both sugary baked goods and

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-20593446266167425142011-05-05T07:00:00.000-07:002011-05-05T07:03:08.949-07:00

Today here are some things that make me giddily happy, in no particular order:  swimming pool weather bright green orchids Calypso's new line at Target bagels (with more than a smear of cream cheese) my one sacred cup of coffee each a.m.listening to Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" dinners that I do not preparebaby kicks from the little one inside me sitting in an Adirondack chair. Today, take time

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-25526826028805179862011-05-04T07:00:00.000-07:002011-05-04T07:05:11.103-07:00

For those of you darlings who may not know, my "day job" is teaching art history to college students.  I adore my career and cannot believe I am among the lucky few who spends her days wandering through the history of Western art (for more on this topic, read my post "Do What You Love" from last year).   In an attempt to share my passion and knowledge with you, I am going to start a series

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-24917973609848003602011-05-02T07:00:00.000-07:002011-05-02T14:40:38.173-07:00

"To eat is a necessity,  but to eat intelligently is an art." - La Rochefoucauld Each Sunday evening, my husband and I strive to start the week with a healthy meal.  We find it gets us on the right foot for the week ahead and provides us the energy to greet another day.   This time of year in Southern California, fresh, flavorful produce is available to us in abundance.  At our local farm

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-535760260787139702011-04-30T07:00:00.000-07:002011-05-01T06:08:37.223-07:00

"I used to think a wedding was a simple affair. Boy and girl meet, they fall in love, he buys a ring, she buys a dress, they say I do. I was wrong. That's getting married. A wedding is an entirely different proposition."  - George Banks,  Father of the Bride As much as I enjoyed the fairy tale of Friday's wedding extravaganza, there is really nothing fresh or inspired I can add to any of

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-77423358563338428362011-04-29T06:00:00.000-07:002011-04-29T06:00:34.100-07:00

Bonjour!  Check out my thoughts on "The Five Senses of Paris" over at Misadventures with Andi!  What an honor to be featured on one of my favorite travel blogs! Images by HenryClark & RobertDoisneau.

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-29043353782932078572011-04-27T07:00:00.000-07:002011-04-27T16:48:08.667-07:00

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” -Epicurious Well, hello, my long lost readers.  I apologize for my lack of posts in recent weeks.  A combination of pregnancy anxiety and work woes has left me with a wicked case of writer's block and ennui. But, I'm back for now, even if sporadically.    

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-27915767796770645462011-04-10T07:00:00.000-07:002011-04-10T09:39:35.602-07:00

(Ahem, yes, I am aware it is indeed Sunday and not Friday. You must forgive my tardiness.  My brain is in baby-mode, not bloggy-mode.  But at least I got you flowers to apologize.) I am in a serious ranuculus phase.  On my Friday trips to the market, generally, I can't leave without a bundle of tulips, but these days I am adoring the crinoline ruffles and watercolor hues of these pinkish flowers

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-57778028437181553462011-04-04T07:00:00.000-07:002011-04-04T17:01:40.116-07:00

As someone who embraces her boringness (stretchy pants and fudgesicles and Bravo marathons, I'm in!), I'm not sure I wholeheartedly agree with Ms. Monroe. But, in this rather pregnant state of my life, I do wish for a dab more of the ridiculous...

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-16030209121701327512011-03-31T07:00:00.000-07:002011-03-31T09:16:32.881-07:00

Since I became pregnant, one of the top priorities on my pre-infant to-do list was taking a babymoon.  Of course, we have other more pragmatic tasks as we prepare for the wee little Frenchie, but somehow buying strollers and researching birthing options didn't seem nearly as delightful as planning one final getaway as a twosome.  Now as I enter my sixth month of pregnancy, prime traveling time so

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-81188642698597863022011-03-29T07:00:00.000-07:002011-03-29T15:50:18.700-07:00

“Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave, and grow old wanting to get back to.”  -John Ed Pearce When I heard that Tony Bourdain had been traipsing around my hometown in Missouri, I'll admit I cringed a little.  Here was my journalistic hero in the town that had raised me.  I wondered where he'd go and what he'd see.  And most of all, I wondered if he'd be able to get a true sense of

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-14531089046502993152011-03-24T07:00:00.000-07:002011-03-24T08:41:31.177-07:00

Recently, one of my students brought the work of American photographer Vivian Maier (1926-2009) to my attention.  As I looked through her black and white prints of ordinary life around Chicago, her skill seemed on par with photographs by the greats like Robert Frank and Walker Evans and Dorthea Lange; yet, I had never heard her name. The only thing more remarkable than her documentary imagery is

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-70262510677039734302011-03-18T17:00:00.000-07:002011-03-19T07:43:23.041-07:00

"I had not intended to love him. I have wrought hard to extirpate from my soul the germs of love there detected; and no, at the first renewed view of him, they spontaneously revived, green and strong! He made me love him without looking at me."  Full disclosure Charlotte Brontë fans: I have never read Jane Eyre.  Everything I'm about to state is merely from the point of view of a delighted

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-82159964057132052992011-03-18T07:00:00.000-07:002011-03-18T07:29:37.483-07:00

I'm having a case of the blues today, so I'll just post my happy tulips and irises and think good thoughts. No wise words or witty banter pour moi this week, simply flowers will have to do.

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-13365577056175469632011-03-10T07:00:00.000-08:002011-03-10T08:57:38.015-08:00

Vanities are the ultimate girly piece of furniture.  What could be more feminine than having a little place to sit as you stack on your bangles or powder your cheeks or spritz your Chanel no. 5?  I've always coveted the fancy vanities I see in design magazines or in films.  Like nightstands or coffee tables, vanities become deeply personal spaces, filled with our favorite jewelry and our

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-10557312227311362672011-03-09T07:00:00.000-08:002011-03-09T08:38:21.607-08:00

Chocolate chip cookie recipes are closely guarded by grandmas the world over.  Bakers like to keep their favorite close to their heart only to be prepared when needing extra-special culinary oooohhhhs and aaaahhhs from family and friends.  So, it's no surprise that one of the most famous chocolate chip cookies comes with a fable. You may have heard the urban legend about Neiman Marcus'

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-66219185357140078862011-03-08T17:00:00.000-08:002011-03-08T17:19:28.086-08:00

I've been craving a margarita like mad. But since I will be abstaining until this summer when the wee one arrives, I will satiate my Tex-Mex hunger with tacos this Tuesday.A taco bar is an easy way to let each member of your household assemble his or her own favorite combination.  Tonight I combined 1 large yellow onion, 5 mini-bell peppers, cumin (2 tablespoons), chili pepper (2 tablespoons),

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-41058680298627939212011-03-07T07:00:00.000-08:002011-03-08T08:43:16.566-08:00

"Arranging a bowl of flowers in the morning can give a sense of quiet in a crowded day - like writing a poem or saying a prayer." -Anne Morrow Lindbergh I wanted to share a few little ranuculus from my Friday treat.  Flowers always perk up a Monday filled with blahs.

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-1067422151267931192011-03-04T07:00:00.000-08:002011-03-04T16:03:36.070-08:00

"There are always flowers for  those who want to see them." -Henri Matisse The other day in class, I proposed a question to the students in my Survey of Western Art II course: "When was the last time you saw something so beautiful that it brought you to tears?"  For the first time, I actually witnessed my students in a deeply contemplative mood. The reason we had arrived at this discussion

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-91846544064707688522011-03-02T07:00:00.000-08:002011-03-02T07:00:20.441-08:00

"Never eat more than you can lift." -Miss Piggy   At nearly five months pregnant, food has become my passion.  There are no more cocktails.  Doctor has ordered that I stay off my feet and forgo exercise.  Shopping has even been tabled for the moment.  So, clearly, food is the thing.  Lately, Miss Piggy and I seem to be using the same parameters for consumption.  Since it's been especially

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-13756936752273445942011-03-01T07:00:00.000-08:002011-03-01T07:00:15.827-08:00

 I am resisting the urge to turn Les Petits Plaisirs into a full-fledged preggorama, maternity and baby blog.  But, from time to time, I do plan to offer a few little baby tidbits about our adventures.  As we begin to decorate the nursery, I have been searching the web for inspiration.  We are not finding out what we're having (well, we know it's a human, just not which variety), so the nursery

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-25016308104498794612011-02-28T07:00:00.000-08:002011-02-28T07:00:12.327-08:00

"You know what your problem is, it's that you haven't seen enough movies - all of life's riddles are answered in the movies." Steve Martin I really love movies.  I love sitting in the dark theater, awaiting the previews and smelling buttered popcorn.  I love reclining on the couch streaming a new documentary on Netflix.  From loud blockbusters to poignant indies, spending a few hours

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-89213816477472955762011-02-25T07:00:00.001-08:002011-02-25T09:19:26.834-08:00

Come with me on a trip to pretend land.  I don't act (though my hubby might disagree).  I don't work in the film industry (though I do support it daily). But, I do think about what I'd wear on the red carpet if I made the famous February trek to the Kodak Theater. Sorry, Rachel Zoe, I couldn't afford your help, so I'll just have to choose amongst these lovelies: Oscar de la Renta Spring 2011

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-85269751575648284122011-02-25T07:00:00.000-08:002011-02-25T08:42:33.560-08:00

Bathing is a daily necessity but with a little care, it can become a luscious ritual.  When was the last time you took a nice long soak?  Light a few candles, pour yourself a little glass of vino, play some Maria Callas on the iPod, and sit in the fragrant bubbles until your fingers shrivel.  Think about your day or don't think at all.  Relax and restore. Stevens, The Bath, 1906 Bonnard,

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-30454775741150129912011-02-22T07:00:00.000-08:002011-02-22T07:23:32.554-08:00

I've been baking lots of muffins lately.  Perhaps I just want to think of muffin tops other than the one forming around my waistline.  Perhaps my pregnancy cravings are in full carb mode.  Either way, our kitchen counter is starting to look like a bakery display case.   These yummy blueberry banana muffins are the recent favorites around here.  Buttermilk Banana Blueberry Muffins Ingredients:

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-41769156071296988142011-02-21T07:00:00.000-08:002011-02-21T10:33:28.091-08:00

"I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce, and agriculture, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain." -John Adams If the events of

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-36855138629831915692011-02-19T07:00:00.000-08:002011-02-19T07:24:23.811-08:00

Today the Wall Street Journal offers us a tasty little morsel of Nigella Lawson's kitchen.  In the essay, Nigella takes the reader through the attributes of her intimate kitchen. With her gift for writing, Nigella begins the article, "kitchen is probably one of the most evocative words in the English language....it conjures up warmth and welcome, safety and security, in short, the very notion of

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-61397682875454155832011-02-17T07:00:00.000-08:002011-02-17T07:59:39.790-08:00

Being thankful isn't only for November.  Take a little time today to think about the bounty in your life.  Sip your cup of coffee extra slowly, really taste it.  Make your favorite food for dinner and savor it. Look at the sky. Enjoy the clouds.  Dance to your favorite iPod playlist or better yet dance with your spouse. Smile and laugh.  Today is a beautiful day. Image borrowed from

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-52407692664878354862011-02-16T07:00:00.000-08:002011-02-16T08:37:25.861-08:00

For me, polka dots have always been in vogue.  Like classic leopard or a Glen plaid, polka dots are a welcome print in my wardrobe.  But, according to recent fashion news, these whimsical, cheerful dots are making a big come-back.  Some fashion journalists attribute this to Michelle Obama, taste-maker-du-jour, who wore a custom-altered H&M polka dot dress on the Today show with bright, primary

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-38053781984188779532011-02-15T07:00:00.000-08:002011-02-15T08:22:46.991-08:00

It is morning here in SoCal, so naturally, my thoughts have turned to cake (if you are not pregnant like moi, you must forgive my craving-dominated food posts until August).  There is a large chocolate buttercream cake staring me in the face and I'm wondering how I can justify eating it for breakfast.  Well, it does have eggs in it.  And a touch of coffee to perk me up.  Oh, and I'm sure I could

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-37129971784737073852011-02-14T07:00:00.000-08:002011-02-14T07:00:03.199-08:00

Remember the first Sex and the City movie (i.e., the good one)?  Remember when Carrie pulls out her old, smelly New York Public Library book called Love Letters of Great Men, Volume 1? I declare we need more old fashioned love letters.   I don't know about you, but when I think of the most romantic things I've ever seen, most of them have appeared on the screen or on the page.  Real life

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-25643825563784401882011-02-13T07:00:00.000-08:002011-02-13T07:00:04.950-08:00

Sir Joshua Reynolds, Lady in Pink, 1781 Being able to spend hours immersed in color is one of the most wonderful aspects of my career as an art historian.  Though I appreciate the compositional qualities of black and white photography and the technical aspects of a marble sculpture, I've always been most attracted to the array of shades in an oil on canvas.  When I visit a museum, sometimes I

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-58749040036820794902011-02-12T07:00:00.000-08:002011-02-12T07:00:06.300-08:00

Well dear readers, since I've got a bun in the oven, you'll have to indulge in these fancy adult beverages on my behalf.  I'll just stick to fizzy water and cranberry juice.   In the meantime, cheers to pink cocktails.  For my favorite cocktails, click here. Images borrowed from CiaoBella, TheNibble, MyRecipes, MissBimbo, MarthaStewartWeddings, CandleFind.

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-36617706104272518322011-02-11T07:00:00.000-08:002011-02-11T07:00:05.665-08:00

One of the first things women purchase when having a bad day is a new tube of lipstick.  There is something about the transformative power of a little makeup to make me feel like a new woman.  I tend to get stuck in a beauty routine, using the same products and colors day after day; but, occasionally, I browse through Sephora or a department store to spice up my makeup palette.  Pink makeup may

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-14014836055935850492011-02-10T07:00:00.000-08:002011-02-10T07:00:11.563-08:00

I have a theory that I may have voiced in this very spot before: pink food inevitably tastes delicious.  For me, pink is one of the most attractive culinary shades. It invites nibbling and suggests sweetness and tartness and general scrumptiousness. When I indulge in a perfect pink cupcake or frosted cookie, the carefree four-year-old in me is released for a few brief moments. Images borrowed

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-21071089602097239522011-02-10T06:00:00.000-08:002011-02-10T07:11:49.767-08:00

“Pink is the color of romance and a friend tells me that the girl with the pink dress at the party is the one who is selected for each dance.” -Alfred Hottes, author and botanist Sometimes a girl just needs a pink dress pick-me-up, courtesy of Audrey, Marilyn, Jackie, and Grace.  As these style icons show us, pink can be demure and refined or sassy and bold.  In my humble opinion, every woman

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-5087255871131297432011-02-09T07:00:00.000-08:002011-02-09T07:00:09.274-08:00

For our Wednesday touch of pink, let's move into one of the loveliest home's House Beautiful has ever featured, that of designer and artist Ruthie Sommers in L.A.. In this splendid and whimsical space, pink is used fearlessly, but with utmost elegance and refinement. I shall dream for a moment that I live here:All images borrowed from Victoria Pearson and House Beautiful.

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-17688018024633104802011-02-08T07:00:00.000-08:002011-02-08T07:10:27.600-08:00

"I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles." -Audrey Hepburn    As a build-up to the pinkest of all holidays (ahem, Valentine's Day), this

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-25966515785406026542011-02-07T17:00:00.000-08:002011-02-07T17:30:51.233-08:00

Valentine's Day is a very polarizing holiday.  Some of us adore the flowers, the hearts, the candy and the celebration of all of the lovey dovey stuff.  But, conversely, others just hate those little conversation hearts and forced date nights. I am in the former camp (um, hello, PINK Frenchie cherishes any holiday devoted to her favorite hue!).  I've always loved Valentine's Day, even when I

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-29827291944818431422011-02-04T07:00:00.000-08:002011-02-04T08:28:48.369-08:00

When you have only two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one, and a lily with the other.  ~Chinese ProverbIn recent Fridays, I've been forgoing my usual bunch of flowers at the market, buying loafs (of bread) instead of lilies.  But today, I indulged in this little bouquet of pink daisies, white hydrangea and little bright green berries.  These eclectic springy flowers bring a

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-91074401695594602442011-02-03T17:00:00.000-08:002011-02-03T17:50:58.304-08:00

"I was constantly thinking as if I was asking each building I love so much in Venice whether they would accept me in their company" -Louis Kahn, Italy, 1951 I've praised Louis Kahn before in my review of My Architect.  He is among the handful of architects I know best.  Of course I don't have Frank Gehry or I.M. Pei in my address book, but I believe I've gained a personal connection to these

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-1939376281687364012011-02-03T07:00:00.000-08:002011-02-03T09:02:58.763-08:00

We have entered the Year of the Rabbit. According to the Chinese zodiac, this year shall bring us domestic serenity and professional prosperity.  I'll toast to that... Gung hay fat choy! 新年快乐Images borrowed from AleksandrBenois, ChinesePainting, WayfaringTravelGuide, Here & AllRed.

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-60555121677158623122011-01-31T07:00:00.000-08:002011-01-31T07:00:14.265-08:00

“Once I got in an argument with a girlfriend inside of a tent. That's a bad place for an argument, because I tried to walk out, and had to slam the flap.” -Mitch Hedberg, ComedianNo marriage is perfect.  June and Ward Cleaver do not exist beyond the tube.  Let's face it, in every relationship, there will be contention.  And, in most marriages, those fights tend to be circular and cyclical.  I

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-57832614006349342382011-01-30T08:00:00.000-08:002011-01-30T08:26:20.273-08:00

One of my favorite blogs is Paris vs New York: A Tally of Two Cities.  In a quick-witted, simple visual manner, the blog compares the two great cities. With their irreverence and chic style, these images delight lovers of either city. All images borrowed from ParisVsNewYork.

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-60910201727516860832011-01-27T08:00:00.001-08:002011-01-27T14:48:16.701-08:00

Confession: I am jealous of Gwyneth Paltrow.  Big time.  Not because her hair always looks perfectly blond (the woman never has roots).  Not because her ensembles seem effortlessly chic (who cares if she has a stylist).  Not because she speaks perfect Spanish.  Not even because she gets to listen to Chris Martin sing whenever she wants.... I'm way jealous of GP because she got to cook brunch with

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-14171780037822667712011-01-27T08:00:00.000-08:002011-01-27T09:15:32.671-08:00

Images borrowed from IlCantor, TheInsideStory, CountryLiving, HandmadeCharlotte, Glamour, DandelionWishes.

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-13640167359805857192011-01-20T07:00:00.000-08:002011-01-20T07:53:13.134-08:00

Today is my 29th birthday.  The last one before the big 3-0. So, for a present to myself, today, I shall eat cupcakes (and take the day off from blogging something more substantial than this). 

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-45553158639293211992011-01-18T07:00:00.000-08:002011-01-18T08:04:14.906-08:00

Some evenings, when the tedium of the week has just begun, I crave the warmth and simplicity of a homemade baked good.  Baking allows me to focus on sifting flour or measuring vanilla or whisking eggs rather than to-do lists and work projects.  Baking stills my racing mind with tasty tangible results. Since I hadn't tested a new recipe in a few weeks, I felt especially eager to try something

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-43427422618276131362011-01-17T07:00:00.000-08:002011-01-17T07:04:18.887-08:00

What is more simply decadent than a perfectly warm croissant?  Of course the pleasure of this pastry treat is exponentially enhanced by dining on a wobbly little Parisian table while sipping on café crème.    Just because you're miles away from lovely Paris, you need not starve yourself of pleasure and indulgence. So, why don't you have a little bit of Paris on your plate this Monday morning? How

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-63594661518106935992011-01-14T07:00:00.000-08:002011-01-14T08:54:33.932-08:00

Not one of Flora's brilliant race   A form more perfect can display;     Art could not feign more simple grace       Nor Nature take a line away.      - James Montgomery, On Planting a Tulip Nothing adds more elegance to a room than a large clear vase of tulips. Whether you fancy the pinkest pink or a creamy ivory, tulips gracefully bend and arc on their green stems.  They delight us with

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-89995507666047067672011-01-11T07:00:00.000-08:002011-01-11T09:03:09.263-08:00

I have a design confession: I LOVE leopard prints.  If I didn't control myself, my apartment could very easily look like a set on The Sopranos.   But, with restraint, a touch of leopard in any room adds a sassy and unexpected twist on your usual style choices.  Images borrowed from SimplySeleta, ElementsOfStyle, BallardDesigns, TheDecorista, ReddCurtain.

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-2907666040936048372011-01-07T07:00:00.001-08:002011-01-07T15:47:51.875-08:00

For the past few days, I've been delighting in the pages of Water for Elephants.  This novel, carefully researched by author Sara Gruen, follows the "roustabouts" and "kinkers" of Benzini Brothers' Most Spectacular Show on Earth in the midst of the American Great Depression.  Like hearing a fairy tale for the first time, it colored my imagination and pulled at my heart.  Its characters, both

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-37839829550506179102011-01-06T07:00:00.000-08:002011-01-06T07:00:00.682-08:00

"A simple enough pleasure, surely, to have breakfast alone with one's husband, but how seldom married people in the midst of life achieve it." Anne Spencer Morrow Lindbergh In the nutrition-focused month of January, consumption of healthy breakfasts surely increases.  My favorite hearty morning food is steel cut oatmeal.  While the slow cook version of these delicious nutty oats require nearly

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-39998657332983688622011-01-05T07:00:00.000-08:002011-01-05T10:59:38.585-08:00

One of my greatest personal struggles is taking risks.  As a lifelong perfectionist, I worry so much about failure that I sometimes forget that there is much to be learned from life's flops.   This year, I am striving to be more fearless, to worry less.  I hope that I can learn to take risks and appreciate how I grow as result.  What is the riskiest thing you've ever done?  Were the results

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-55960094470261880462011-01-04T07:00:00.000-08:002011-01-04T08:07:53.524-08:00

"Soup is cuisine's kindest course.  It breathes reassurance; it steams consolation; after a weary day it promotes sociability, as the five o'clock cup of tea or the cocktail hour." Louis P. De Gouy, 'The Soup Book' (1949)  In a meteorological turn of events, this winter in California has been particularly blustery. With the cool weather, I've been satisfying my soul with a nice warm bowl of

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-67528697107966805142011-01-03T07:00:00.000-08:002011-01-03T09:13:46.722-08:00

Hello, dears!  After a little holiday hiatus, I'm back in blogland. As much as I delighted in the festivities of December, I am so happy to return to a routine, clear out the holiday clutter, and start another year.  While I've never been one to make New Year's resolutions, I do always aspire to dive into another year with a focus on health and well-being. Here are some simple things I'm doing

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-70541643642222375202010-12-14T07:00:00.000-08:002010-12-14T11:35:44.859-08:00

Right now I am adrift in a sea of papers to grade and exams to score (thus the erratic postings).  So, as I wind down another semester, I am daydreaming of fancy, silvery, Christmasy things.  Just a few more days until I may rest and delight in the sparkle of the holidays. Images borrowed from MarthaStewart, ThisIsGlamorous, HookedOnHouses, BetterHomes, Veranda.

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-24093542087468161372010-12-10T07:00:00.000-08:002010-12-10T08:21:15.146-08:00

In yesterday's Wall Street Journal, I was happy to discover that honeysuckle pink was named by Pantone as the color for 2011, replacing 2010's turquoise.  This particular hue of pink is a soft, cotton-candy shade with undertones of orange.  It is a universally flattering color for fashion and a undeniably cheerful color for home design.  Even if you can't imagine an all-pink dress or pink walls

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-40691470742658577312010-12-08T07:00:00.000-08:002010-12-08T08:23:25.094-08:00

I wanted to share a few favorite words on this winter morning.  Stopping By Woods on a Snowy EveningBy Robert Frost   Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow. My little horse must think it queer To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lake The darkest evening of the

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-49749184740239628822010-12-07T07:00:00.000-08:002010-12-07T07:13:45.464-08:00

"The best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is singing loud for all to hear." -Buddy the Elf Everyone has their favorite holiday tunes. Maybe it's the classic crooner you listen to while decorating the tree or sitting by the fire, or maybe it's a catchy modern song that sticks in your head all December. Here are my all-time favorite Christmas songs.  This is the perfect party mix: some classics,

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-58243635454239301342010-12-06T07:00:00.000-08:002010-12-06T07:29:01.809-08:00

When I hear even just a few notes of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker score, I cannot help but twirl.  Though my ballet skills have surely tarnished since my youth, the music reawakens my urge to arabesque and pas de bourrée across my kitchen floor.  Tom Cruise may play air guitar in his undie to Bob Seger, but I put on my imaginary tutu and stage a mini production of my favorite holiday ballet. 

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-4585219876819065602010-12-04T07:00:00.000-08:002010-12-04T07:04:33.029-08:00

If you're throwing a holiday fête or just having a few friends over for drinks, you need not invent a new candy cane martini to offer a festive beverage to your guests.Here are my tips for a classy, simple holiday bar:Champagne or Prosecco cocktails.  Create a bar of champagne additions like Cassis for a Kir Royale or puréed raspberries or blood orange juice.  Place each ingredient in a separate

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-59658092447878602092010-12-03T07:00:00.000-08:002010-12-03T07:10:17.560-08:00

"Joy is not in things; it is in us." --Benjamin FranklinAmerican consumerism is in full swing this time of year.  Each holiday season, I am once again disgusted by the way the beauty of the season of often overshadowed by the consumption of "things." Gift giving and receiving, when done with love and thoughtfulness can be a great pleasure.  But, it's the chronic advertisements and the "black

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-73921782017905452032010-11-30T07:00:00.000-08:002010-11-30T07:02:54.492-08:00

Each November, as soon as the Thanksgiving dishes are cleared away, I excitedly bring out my small collection of Christmas treasures. Even though I have amassed special ornaments from my travels over the years, what I really relish at Christmas is setting up my little village.   As I neatly place the houses and sprinkle the glittered "snow" all around, immediately I feel like a girl again, as if

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-14270316868427893942010-11-29T08:00:00.000-08:002010-11-29T09:26:25.047-08:00

One splendid Thanksgiving, my mom and I ditched the stateside turkey, and flew to Paris for a week.  While breaking with November traditions was unexpectedly delightful, what truly enchanted us was seeing Paris reveal her holiday finery.   As we bundled up and tried to emulate the French woman's perfectly imperfect scarf tie, we explored the city which was then covered under a glistening sheet of

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-78303442616404398712010-11-23T08:00:00.000-08:002010-11-23T08:18:54.170-08:00

Planning the Thanksgiving menu is a highly personal affair.  Everyone coming to the table has their special requests and nostalgic dishes.   Must-haves at my own Thanksgiving are my dad's cranberry-orange relish, corn pudding courtesy of my mom's dear friend, butternut squash gratin with pesto, and mushy-gushy unctuous green bean casserole. If I am especially brave, I will attempt homemade yeast

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-51393194843994656672010-11-22T07:00:00.000-08:002010-11-22T07:22:49.855-08:00

As we inch ever closer toward Turkey Day, you are no doubt planning your menu and making the final grocery list.  While you clean your cranberries and polish your pumpkins, don't forget about your table. Here are a few inspirational tables to get you in the mood for Thursday's feast.  From the simply modern to the classically autumnal, these tables would enchant any turkey-tipsy guest. These

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-37899055470942848882010-11-19T12:00:00.000-08:002010-11-19T14:04:49.336-08:00

pink Christmas, with every Christmas card I write..... I haven't even had my first bite of Thanksgiving turkey yet, and I can't stop thinking about pulling out my favorite pink Christmas decor. Here's some pink festiveness to get you in the mood for the official start of the Christmas season next week. Images borrowed from QueenOfArte, SeasonForAll, MarthaStewart, SensationalColor & CountryLiving

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-29989603778550866632010-11-19T08:00:00.000-08:002010-11-19T13:22:56.784-08:00

Every Christmas season, Oprah produces a magazine and an entire show dedicated to her favorite things---the goodies, some grand, some ordinary, that she will be giving during the holidays. Oprah I am not, but I have gathered a few of my own favorite things to share with you. (spoiler alert: if you are Pink Frenchie's mother or mother-in-law you may want to skip this post...it is kind of like

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-13658147211423451242010-11-19T07:00:00.000-08:002010-11-19T07:00:11.835-08:00

Top image borrowed from IceCreamIsBetter.

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-57051471969937779702010-11-18T07:00:00.000-08:002010-11-20T17:50:53.687-08:00

He was my cream, and I was his coffee -And when you poured us together,  it was something.~Josephine Baker I tend to have many rituals in my daily life.  Call it obsessive compulsive, or perhaps I'm just a creature of habit, but I cling to little routines as if they're liturgy.  My favorite morning ritual requires coffee. I savor that moment, just after waking, when I add dark, aromatic French

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-75772294793363098072010-11-17T07:00:00.000-08:002010-11-17T07:01:21.320-08:00

 I have a map fetish.  For this reason (and my superb navigational skills---thanks for that gene, Dad), I will never ever ever own a G.P.S.  I am categorically opposed to those little Garmin goodies which tell you to turn here and exit there.   I love getting my hands on a map, awkwardly unfolding its pages and figuring out where to go.  Plotting a route, veering off course, and seeing the grand

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-51261917747658105622010-11-16T08:00:00.000-08:002010-11-16T08:06:05.772-08:00

There is a harmony  In autumn, and a lustre in its sky,  Which through the summer is not heard or seen,  As if it could not be, as if it had not been!  - Percy Bysshe Shelley Having serious fall-withdrawal, I was happy to head to Tennessee for a long weekend with friends at our alma mater. While Southern California offers faint whispers of autumn, in the hills

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-7309879263616697152010-11-16T07:00:00.000-08:002010-11-16T07:22:08.500-08:00

When I was a little girl, I knew one thing was certain about my future: I was to marry Prince William.  I was convinced it would work out just splendidly: our mothers were pregnant with us at the same time, we both have equine bone structure and flaxen hair, we both studied art history.  Clearly, so much in common. Now, that Will has announced his engagement to the lovely Kate Middleton, I have

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-36459178874095440002010-11-10T07:00:00.000-08:002010-11-10T07:34:56.854-08:00

At this lackluster moment in the middle of the week, I am in need of a glamour infusion with an extra shot of Paris. In this month's Vogue, photographer Mario Testino and his gorgeous subject Anne Hathaway (or Annie as Rachel Zoe casually refers to her) delight us with this uber-chic, old Hollywood-inspired shoot at landmarks in PARIS. Now, all I need is a private jet and that polka-dot Oscar

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-73949483553316147392010-11-09T08:00:00.000-08:002010-11-09T09:14:08.836-08:00

"Did you make these... [long pause, followed by another bite of muffin] from scratch???"Why yes, hubby, indeed, they are from scratch.  I love how non-bakers use this phrase "from scratch" with such incredulity and appreciation.  Anytime dear hungry husband actually mutters these words, I know I have stumbled upon a winning recipe (especially because this recipe was ridiculously easy and made

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-39711982592648113512010-11-09T07:00:00.000-08:002010-11-09T07:04:48.401-08:00

While Einstein was most certainly not referring to design with this remark, as I read it, I immediately conjured up images of crisp, uncluttered modern homes.  As Einstein urges us improve our situation in life, to turn those proverbial lemons into lemonade, I begin to think about how our spaces shape our possibilities.  My design aesthetic tends towards layered, bohemian, cluttered rooms,

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-63207695029589507212010-11-07T17:00:00.000-08:002010-11-07T19:09:00.889-08:00

 Though no passport stamps were acquired (boo)...we did dine on a divine chicken tagine for dinner.  For the non-Moroccan foodies out there, a tagine is in fact both a braised Moroccan dish and a stoneware container (see exhibit A above). Even if you don't have one of these magic looking baking dishes, with the right ingredients and your slow cooker, you can make the warm, stew-like dish taste

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-12845224688778012242010-11-05T16:00:00.000-07:002010-11-05T16:45:49.180-07:00

Okay, I'll fess up, this is not a drink of my own invention.  In fact, quite the contrary, this is Miss Oprah's favorite cocktail du jour.  She loves this drink so much that she served it on one of her recent shows as she camped in Yosemite (yes, you read that right, Oprah camped...well, kind of). So in addition to telling us what to read and what to buy, now I'm am letting Lady O tell me what

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-39412846246108252292010-11-05T08:00:00.000-07:002010-11-05T17:00:06.979-07:00

I don't know about you, but after the week I've had, I could use a sizable dose of cuteness. Here's a little cute overload to kick the weekend off right: Images borrowed from CuteFood,WeHeartIt,here, ItalianGirlinGeorgia.

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-5783225759548501472010-11-03T07:00:00.000-07:002010-11-03T07:00:09.794-07:00

The greatest thing about fashion is its inherent combination of fantasy AND reality.  Clothing is a daily necessity and yet an opportunity to be limitlessly creative.  What other art form touches your life on a daily basis and can transform others' perception of you?  Treat yourself to a sparkly new ensemble.  Retail therapy does have its merits.  A new sweater or skirt, whether from Target or

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-71992236309360997152010-11-02T12:00:00.000-07:002010-11-02T12:00:46.325-07:00

Admit it, we all collect something: rock records or vintage photos, jadeite or jewelry.  What you collect doesn't really matter, that's your prerogative; but it's the art of collecting and cataloging that seems inherently human and completely universal.  That urge to cultivate your distinctive, eccentric "thing" and to look for that "thing" at flea markets and to proudly display those "things" in

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-34228971926216345852010-11-02T07:00:00.000-07:002010-11-02T07:55:32.298-07:00

 [won-der-luhst]–noun 1) a strong, innate desire to rove or travel about2) an affliction affecting Pink Frenchie  Have you ever dreamed of uprooting your life and moving away to a foreign land?  Have you ever considered what it might be like to quit your job and buy a Tuscan villa (Frances Mayes style) or spend a year wandering the cobbled villages of Provence (Peter Mayle style) or

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-65971440297379955952010-11-01T18:00:00.000-07:002010-11-01T19:27:11.270-07:00

For my hubby's birthdays past, I have baked his favorite German chocolate cake: ooey, gooey & coconuty.  But, this year, he requested something new, something even MORE decadent.  The birthday cake inspiration this year was a classic Reese's peanut butter cup.  The goal was a chocolate cake with peanut butter filling and a chocolate ganache exterior.  Two days post peanut butter cake, it is but a

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-73567176639065794582010-10-28T07:00:00.000-07:002010-10-28T09:47:44.999-07:00

Confession: at night, when the rest of you flip through magazines or novels on your night stand, I read cookbooks.  There is something so hypnotic about letting my eyes wander through lists of ingredients before I doze off for the night.   As I turn a cookbook's pages, I get intoxicated by the perfectly delicious color photographs.  I imagine dinner parties I might host or recipes I might try.

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-11089643911858828122010-10-26T07:00:00.000-07:002010-10-26T07:00:07.698-07:00

Stop thinking about what could have been or what would have been if you lived your life differently. Live for now.  Make today better than anything you left behind.  Hold fast to your treasured memories, yet move forward boldly to seek out new joys in life. Images borrowed from NoiseAndKisses, UsinEurope, ClaytonJunior, NatashaBailie, NickiFarrow, VintageBicyclePosters.

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-47423929000587020322010-10-25T18:00:00.000-07:002010-10-25T19:18:25.702-07:00

Saturday evening, along with some dear friends, I dined at a wine bar in Orange County called Wine Works for Everyone.   But more than just pouring glasses of Pinot Noir and Viognier, the restaurant specialized in dishes that paired well with their favorite wines.   The experience (food, wine, and ambiance included) was perfectly lovely, one that I will repeat as soon as possible. At Wine Works,

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-81999295690384221402010-10-22T07:00:00.000-07:002010-10-22T08:19:46.978-07:00

Each morning is a gift.  Experience the supreme pleasure of being.  Images borrowed from here, WeHeartIt, here.

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-9567941027729098782010-10-21T07:00:00.000-07:002010-10-21T19:53:54.936-07:00

It would seem that I haven't met my Halloween quota for the week.  So, without further adieu, here's a little fall flavor.  Today, I'm craving a retro Halloween.  Have a handful of candy corn and enjoy some spooky vintage designs!  Images borrowed from here.

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-31669190013206824542010-10-20T18:00:00.000-07:002010-10-21T07:56:52.102-07:00

In the middle of the week, I need dinners that are fast and involve a few ready-made ingredients.  I love "fortifying" marinara sauce by adding onions, garlic and fresh herbs.  Tonight, I made one of the ultimate comfort foods: stuffed shells.  The benefit of this recipe is that I had enough to make double batches and freeze one for next week!  As Ina would say, "how easy is that?" Ingredients

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6504974339775687510.post-6670659018772253142010-10-20T07:00:00.000-07:002010-10-20T07:00:01.648-07:00

Snuggies. Uggs. Stretchy pants.  Comfort has become the dirty word in fashion because of shapeless items like these.  If you've ever watched more than five minutes of TLC's long-running program, What Not to Wear, you have inevitably seen Clinton Kelly roll his eyes when one of his sloppy students mutters the words, "but it's soooo comfy."  On the show, Kelly tosses out heaps of sagging sweat

Pink Frenchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14858667479756440535noreply@blogger.com1