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!

Saturday Brunch

I heart breakfast. If I were a poet, I would write a sonnet to my favorite meal of the day.

Two of my preferred Saturday feasts:
Butterscotch Monkey Bread

Also, an eggy BLT is always tasty:
-two pieces of wheat bread, toasted, one coated with ketchup and one coated with mayo (sounds a bit strange, but trust me on this)
-1 or 2 fried egg(s) to your liking, I prefer them a bit runny
-1 slice of cheese (colby jack is great here)
-1 piece of crisp butter lettuce
-2 pieces of bacon
-1 slice of tomato
-a couple of slices of avocado
My maple bacon:

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Then place a cookie cooling rack on top of the sheet. Lay the bacon out flat on the cooling rack (over the baking pan). This allows the bacon to get really crispy and for the fat to drip off into the baking pan. Brush each slice with a little maple syrup. Bake for 20-30 minutes, depending on your desired crispiness.

food and photos by moi

Flowers for Friday

"The earth laughs in flowers."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Almost every Friday, I treat myself to a fresh bunch of flowers. Some people indulge in good wine or dark chocolate or manicures, I prefer posies. Tulips, dahlias, roses, lilies, or rannuculus, I simply choose whatever looks fresh and vibrant (and generally pink).

Throughout the week, those blooms unfailingly bring me immense happiness. I've sometimes heard people remark that they don't buy flowers, because they'll just wilt. For me, that evanescence, that fleeting aspect of natural beauty makes the fresh cut flowers that much more of a joy. Why deny yourself a great pleasure merely because it's ephemeral?

photos and flowers by moi

Happy Hour

Miranda: "Why did we stop drinking these?"

Carrie: "Because everyone else started."

Even though they were the ubiquitous girly cocktail of the early 2000s (thanks to SATC), it tough to deny the scrumptiousness of a classic Cosmopolitan.
My version:
2 parts of vodka(Svedka or Ketel One)
1/2-1 part of Triple Sec or Cointreau
2-3 parts of cran-raspberry juice
squeeze a wedge of lime

shake with lots of ice and serve in a chilled glass with a floating slice of lime

Something Beautiful

In the midst of her literal and metaphorical voyage of self-discovery, Elizabeth Gilbert in her memoir Eat, Pray, Love, proclaims:

"I think I deserve something beautiful."

It is such a simple statement that encapsulates vastly universal human longings: for love, for excitement, for pleasure, for material things, for immaterial things. Though I wouldn't go so far as to argue that Gilbert has become a modern day prophet, I certain can identify with her pursuit of pleasure (which she discovers in Italy), devotion (India), and balance (Indonesia).

In the book, her narration about India particularly seized my imagination. Her illustrative descriptions instilled in me a very strong desire to explore this faraway land.

Most of what I know about India comes from film. While I'm guessing that "real" India may be closer to what I saw in Slumdog Millionaire than Monsoon Wedding or The Namesake, there is still something so alluring, so otherworldly about Indian culture. Perhaps because I know so little, I want to travel this place so much more.

So, alas, a few beautiful things from India to hold me over until I get to discover this gigantic, diverse and distant country for myself one day:
PS. Julia Roberts is bringing Eat, Pray, Love to the big screen in August, along with James Franco, Billy Crudup, and Javier Bardem.

Celadon, Chartreuse, Olive, Lime & Kelly

No, these are not the latest celebrity baby names, but rather shades of green. St. Patty's Day is not my thing. But, I can definitely endorse the color green: